Once More With Feeling

by Tisara

Sometimes something is cliche for a reason. Follow Ana as she awakens into the world of Yu Yu Hakusho after dying in her own world. Entangled with our favourite fox, how will she survive a world full of demons and make believe beings, especially if she can't exactly remember who she is or why she's there. Kurama/OC follows Canon with a unique spin.

13. Tell Me Things That Can't Be True (Ch13)

Author'sNote: It has been a hot minute hasn't it! I am so sorry for taking so long, but I haven't stopped writing at least! It's the editing that got hard. So in honor of it being so long since I last posted anything, please enjoy this special double feature! I made two chapters into one to give a good amount of content and hopefully a worthwhile moment with Youko! Remember to stay hydrated, unclench your jaw, and grab a snack! Please enjoy this chapter and I hope that it delivers what you have all been waiting for with Youko!

~Start Chapter 13~

I grimaced as the crowd roared to life again, shouting and screaming around us. Trying not to look too closely at the demons eying us with hungry gazes, I turned to look towards my companions. I knew Erika and I were both more than capable of defending ourselves against some low level demons, well, I could with Erika's help. But with everyone else with us, I wasn't so sure what we would do. Swallowing my thoughts down before they manifested into anxiety, I turned to look back to the ring.

Shishi was holding up his blade, tilting it towards Genkai as she hunkered herself down. She was small but mighty, knowing how to use her own stature against those fighting against her. Raising his sword higher, Shishi sliced downwards leaving a large gouge in the ring. With a tiny smirk, Shishi began to draw his sword around his body, before brandishing it towards the sky and twirling it around. His grin still painted on his lips as he showed off for the crowd. He was clearly showing off while getting ready to attack, and this time I don't think he was going to simply spirit someone away.

"So Shishi can twirl Ma Koku Mei Zan Ken[1] as well as any band majorette I've ever seen, but will he shed any blood before he makes this fighter vanish?" Koto asked.

"Hehm hmm heh." Shishi laughed to himself as he continued to twirl his sword.

"Is he, uh, going to do anything?" I asked, my hands splaying out towards what I felt was Shishi's cringe display.

Erika merely shrugged as she continued to watch Shishi unbothered. A noise suddenly began to build around the arena, the air began to grow thick and obscure our view. I winced as the noise slowly built to a high pitched crescendo.

"That noise doesn't sound so good." Juri said nervously as her gaze darted around herself.

The noise grew louder and I began to wince as the sound of a hummingbird's flaps pounded against my ear drums. Shishi's energy began to spike, building up around him as parts of his hair began to stand on end. Electricity was buzzing around his blade, before scattering off into different directions around the ring. As the wailing increased, many of us, including the demons, began to press our hands against our ears. Others soon began to cry out as their more sensitive ears were hit rendering them cowering masses in their seats or on the floor. If it was this bad for our human ears I didn't want to guess how bad it was for demon ones.

"Ahh! Damn this super-sensitive hearing!"

"I want my mom!"

"I can't begin to describe the sound coming from Shishi's sword!" Koto said as she flattened her ears against her head. "It feels like my ears are bleeding! And now it's draining the life right out of the audience, causing them to collapse! This kind of violence just isn't fun cause it's happening to me!"

Sure enough, many of the weaker demons had collapsed all around the arena. Their bodies laid out across the seats they used to be sitting in. No longer screaming, their eyes looked lifeless and dull. I couldn't tear my gaze from the corpses littering the arena this time, their bodies devoid of any injury, as if they were sleeping.

"Why hasn't it sapped our energy?" I shouted at Erika as I tore my gaze from the deceased demons surrounding us.

"Well, you're already dead and have a powerful enough soul you became a Geist, and I have a lot of magic!" She shouted back.

"Did you know the shrill call of the Reaper steals the lives of those weak souls unable to resist its siren song?" Shishi boasted as he continued to twirl his sword. "I myself think it sounds more like a choir of singing cherubs. But what matters is how it sounds to you. Right Genkai?"

Shishi's voice became distorted at the end of his sentence, his face morphing horrifically before our very eyes. His teeth elongated and two long horns sprouted from his head. His eyes widened, but his pupils grew smaller as he grinned. Still spinning the blade, he brought it towards his left, before pivoting and swinging it towards his right. Black energy began to crack around the hilt, causing me to wince.

"Sounds like cherubs my ass!" I hissed.

Juri soon fell to the ground, holding onto her ears rather painfully. She let out a painful moan.

"Let her rip!" Shishi yelled as he stopped twirling his blade, allowing the red miasma to gather around the blade he held towards the heavens. He jumped into the air and I lost track of him for a moment, before spotting him right above Genkai. Juri bolted off with a shriek, just as Shishi sent his attack towards the ring.

"Summoned from the depths of the Spirit World, Baku Tō Doku Shoku Sō[2]!" Shishi said in a flanged tone, slicing downwards with a hefty blow.

I could see and even feel the presence of a dozen or so spirits, maybe more, floating around the arena, circling Shishi like hungry fish. The malicious feelings made the arena heavy and I winced at the weight. Smoke rose from where Shishi had landed, obscuring Genkai from view. Shishi sprung back up from the rubble, the smoke and spirits still swirling around. He let out an arrogant laugh as the spirits left the arena and headed straight for the audience. It was chaos then as Erika pulled me towards the ground to avoid a demon's arm from smashing into us.

"What the fuck?!" I shrieked as a spirit bit a chunk out of a demon to our right.

"Just stay down and quiet, I will try and place a shield around us." Erika whispered as she pulled gloves from her bag that caused her fingertips to glow.

I winced as another demon was taken out, his shrieks echoing around the inside of my skull. The chaos only grew from there, as demons began to panic and start fighting one another to escape. It was bloody and I shut my eyes, wishing with all my heart we were invisible. I wasn't sure if I had enough concentration to actually make us invisible, but I was more than willing to try. The cascade of death was positively strangling the arena, and it wasn't even the finals yet.

"Outta my way!"

"Let me through!"

"Ahhh!"

"Help me!"

Many of the demons were panicking now, the surviving ones anyway. Many were trampling and falling over one another in a desperate attempt to flee, regardless of where the exit really was. It was slowly becoming a rabid chaos and I found myself clinging tightly to Erika's sleeve. The rest of the girls were huddled behind Erika as several more spirits bounced off Erika's shield.

"Demon souls, stripped of their bodies, it's said their fury will destroy any living creature they touch. I advise using an energy barrier to ward them off." I heard Kurama say, his voice echoing through the speakers and above the cacophony of noise as if to warn us.

I focused on his voice, the softness of it as it hit my ears over the shrill shrieks happening around us. Erika was right about using a barrier and I opened my eyes to see a spirit bounce off a pearlescent wall more viciously than before, attempting to break its way in. Erika was softly humming a chant as she watched the spirit attempt to enter, before letting out a high pitched shrill of frustration.

"Why aren't you taking it out like some of the others are doing?" I asked as I uncurled my body from where I had hunched over around Erika's shoulder.

"I'm not sure how well my magic will affect them, but a shield is a shield, so..." Erika shrugged.

"Now that you've witnessed the most awesome display of power ever unleashed at the Dark Tournament, there should be no debate about who the greatest showman is! Such impact on the audience! They will never forget the famous Shishiwakamaru!" Shishi boasted as he rested his blade in front of him. "In killing the renowned Genkai I've adopted her repute, bolstering my status as a living legend! Hm, I've waited a long time for this. I only wish Genkai had been stronger so I could show my full power!"

Juri peered over the edge of the ring, looking horrified at what was happening. As the dust settled we found a large gouge in the centre of the ring where Genkai had once been standing. No blood or pieces of her to be seen, so I could only hope that she indeed escaped and wasn't vaporised by Shishi's attack.

"That giant crater is right where I was standing!" Juri squeaked, "that means it could've been me who was blown apart!"

"I know how you feel, little girl. That could've been me, too." I heard Genkai's gruff voice say.

She was now standing behind Shishi, who had turned to glare at her, his hands shaking with rage. I couldn't help but smile proudly at how powerful and capable Genkai was while staying completely human. It was...something to aspire to, that's for sure.

"You still think she's weak?" Kurama said as Hiei scoffed.

"I'm surprised my sword's sound alone didn't kill you, you withered old hag." Shishi fumed.

"Yes, silly me. I must've forgotten to turn my hearing aid on. When you get to be a washed-up old lady like me, the memory is the first to go!" Genkai mocked.

"Shut up!" Shishi shouted, his eyes quivering with anger. "I won't be humiliated on my own stage! Don't think for a minute you can keep running from Baku Tō Doku Shoku Sō[2]. Either your luck or your knees are bound to give out in time!"

"Shishiwakamaru isn't really planning on using that thing again?" A demon pitifully asked.

"Nah, the guy's gotta be kiddin' around!" Another answered back.

"Everyone, let's run for our lives!" Another unhelpfully added.

"We're all gonna die!"

And then the remaining demons began to fight to escape the arena around us. I flinched again as a smaller demon bounced off Erika's shield from where he had been knocked over by another attempt to flee. I winced as the demon plummeted several rows before I lost sight of him.

"Not again!" Another shouted as it attempted to run up the stairs but tripped.

"Wow! Hundreds of fans are fleeing the stadium in droves, trying to get out of the way of Shishi's next violent attack! I have to admit I'm a little afraid myself of what's coming next, but I'm sticking around because we announcers have to be held to a higher standard! Wouldn't you agree, Juri?" Koto asked from where she was hunkered down. "Huh? Juri? Where are you?"

"Sit down and shut up, ya lilly-livered cowards!" A 'fearless' demon shouted as he shook in his seat.

"Uh-huh, I'd rather die than miss the chance of seeing Genkai get what she deserves!" Another agreed.

"Looks like some dedicated fans are staying put in their seats to watch the carnage unfold! Of course, it doesn't matter how many people are in the stands, this place is gonna gush blood as long as there are two fighters in the ring!" Koto continued to announce, forgetting instantly about Juri.

Shishi took a moment to stare Genkai down, before raising his sword once more for another attack. He began to pulsate as he gathered up energy. The pounding in my skull had hit an all time high causing me to let out a pained sigh. I wasn't used to being around this much death, and I could feel all of it. Flickers of memories from the different times I had been not only faced with death, but also the dead.

"The show goes on." He said as spirits began to gather around his blade.

The sound began to build up again and I winced. Several demons who had remained around us fell to their knees, clawing at their skulls. I couldn't blame them as they attempted to get the painful haunting tune out of their heads. It was almost beckoning the spirits straight from within them, their life spilling out their bodies in a sick synchronised dance.

"My ears are crawling inside my skull to die!" One wailed.

"I should warn you that my sword knows many impressive tricks beyond Baku Tō Doku Shoku Sō[2]." Shishi spoke as he twirled his blade so the tip faced the ground. "On Ko Shō Baku Heki[3]!"

As he plunged his blade into the arena, it became a washed out yellow. Water-like substance began to ooze up from what appeared to be a spring that was surrounding both himself and Genkai. He pulled it out and went into a defensive stance, a sneer on his face. The tendrils of yellow power echoing his blades movements, reminding me of a flickering spirit's face. Memories of the girl from the hospital hit me as hard as the pavement had hit her. My stomach surged with an incessant want to purge so hard I had to swallow copious amounts of salvia that began to gather in anticipation. Too much was happening and everything was just too loud. The power began to spiral around him as several distorted faces smeared together into what looked like a translucent barrier that surrounded the entire arena.

"Run! Run as fast as you like! You'll run out of breath before you get out! There's no escape for you this time. Ha ha ha ha ha!" Shishi mocked.

"He's taken the disenfranchised cries of the dead and materialised them into an enclosure." Kurama gasped as the rest of Team Urameshi were forced to watch.

"It's one hell of a cage match - to the death!" Shishi laughed harder at his own joke. "Heh, heh, heh, heh, heh. Idealists like you who fight for justice make me retch. Stardom is the purest fuel for strength and that's how it should always be. You softies are only crowding the room."

"Where'd you get the impression I'm some kind of crime-fighting hero? I thought you were familiar with my past." Genkai laughed.

"Yes, like every other apparition in this stadium who cares one inkling for history! And the choice you're famous for is an insult I will replace! I will be a big star!" Shishi hissed, his tone coming out in a growl at the end.

"And I already am one, pretty-boy," Genkai said with a smile. "Pay attention, you'll learn something."

"Shut up! You're worth nothing to me alive!" Shishi interrupted, lowering his sword to point accusingly at Genkai.

He launched himself into the air, going for another head on attack. With his sword raised, he soared above the walls in an arch, careening for Genkai. Energy began to gather around her fist, which I stopped to watch keenly. What was she doing? My curiosity continued to grow as Genkai's spirit energy did.

"I'll slice you in half, human!" Shishi screamed as he brought his sword down onto Genkai's head.

But Genkai had stopped the blade with only her hands. Energy crackled around where she had made contact, twisting her hair up and around her face. A light began to shine from the extent of the energy Genkai had around her. I shielded my eyes as I gazed down at the ring. Right before our eyes, Genkai changed too. Her appearance growing younger, the grey in her hair fading to a beautiful pink, and the lines on her face grew tight and invisible.

"You're back?" Shishi accused.

"Rei Kō Kyō Han Shō[4]!" Genkai shouted as her eyes began to glow and she sent all the energy that not only she had gathered, but that Shishi had gathered as well.

Shishi was sent flying back as the water walls were blasted apart, blowing upwards to the sky. He began to bleed as he finally fell still, face kissing stone.

"How?" Shishi croaked out as he barely managed to raise his head.

"I can't afford to waste my own energy, so I borrowed some of yours. I hope you can understand. I am a very busy old lady." Genkai explained.

"How could you do such a vindictive thing to me, you second rate thief! The energy in that attack was mine, and it was destined to-to earn my greatness! Don't you...don't you realise what I am supposed to become?" Shishi cried out as he attempted to stand.

"He's kidding right? He killed like half of the audience!" I hissed.

"It'll take more than parlour tricks to keep a consummate champion like me down!" Shishi snarled as he used his sword to stay standing.

Shishi was shaking as he raised his sword once more for another attack. Looking worse for wear, his hair a dishevelled mess, he raised an arm and pointed towards Genkai.

"Baku...Tō Doku Shoku...Sō[2]!" Shishi shouted as more spirits began to swarm around his sword before going up his arm and towards his outstretched one.

They charged Genkai as she raised her hands across her face, before snapping them horizontally across her chest. A glimmering barrier of energy ballooned around her destroying every spirit that came in contact with it. Unlike Erika's barrier, this one was aggressively tearing anything it came into contact with.

"No! This can't happen! " Shishi cried out in desperation.

"Apparently Shishi had a lot more energy than we first gave him credit for. " Hiei scoffed.

"Had is right, little good it's doing him now that Genkai's claimed it." Kurama said.

"Give it back!" Shishi snarled as he raised his now pulsing red sword, almost falling over in his attempt.

Instead of leaping into the air as he had previously done earlier in the fight, Shishi began to charge Genkai on the ground. His movements were sluggish and faulty, his step missing several beats in his drive forward.

"Die!" He yelled as he slashed at her.

Genkai made a similar hand motion as before, and extended out more of Shishi's energy right back at him.

"Rei Kō Kyō Han Shō[4]!"

Shishi was held, suspended in the onslaught of the blast as he shrieked in pain. His sword shattered, the hilt breaking apart into a watery oozing mess. Eventually, Shishi landed and skidded towards the edge of the arena. He attempted to stand up as what remained of his blade pierced the stone near his feet.

"Cheating thief...you really don't fight...for justice." Shishi struggled to say.

"No, I fight to get what I need for myself, and always have. I attack whoever stands in my way. It just so happens that a great deal of those people happen to be demons." Genkai explained as if she were bored of having to remind everyone.

"I think...I may have fallen in love...if things had turned out differently for us, and you still looked like this all the time, we could've been together, once." Shishi began to grin before falling to the ground unconscious, or dead.

I wasn't sure which.

"What. The. Fuck..." I muttered as I watched the scene unfold.

"Aren't I a lucky one?" Genkai scoffed with a roll of her eyes.

What demons were left, began to grumble and shout out their complaints at what had happened. It was like clockwork at this point. It didn't matter who it was, as long as Team Urameshi lost. I knew this from previous fights, but it still surprised me all the same every time.

"Woo hoo, way to go girl power!" Juri cheered as she appeared suddenly in the ring next to Genkai.

"Didn't she leave?" I asked as we got back in our seats proper.

"Apparently not." Erika almost laughed.

"What's it like bein' a young gal in a mostly male-" Juri began to ask as Genkai changed back into an old woman. "Oh, nevermind. Good job! The winner of the match is Genkai!"

Juri raised Genkai's hand into the air causing the crowd to start screaming boo and more death threats. The poor girl looked so uncomfortable and annoyed at the same time. I wonder if she was as done with this whole tournament as I was.

"That victory gives Team Urameshi a strong 4 to 1 lead in the Semi-final round! One more win and they advance! And there's only one man left standing on Team Uratogi to stop them!" Juri announced as she flourished her hand towards the remaining team member.

"And he's barely standing." Hiei mocked.

"That's right." The old man said as he entered the ring, his back hunched and arms behind his back.

"He's supposed to be the great white-haired hope for us all?" A demon muttered.

"First the old lady, then the old man. When did this become a senior centre?" Another complained.

"Wow, I only thought they complained if Team Urameshi won, now they're complaining about their supposed only hope." I grumbled.

"I'd say break a leg, but I'm afraid he would take it seriously." One demon went on to mock.

"I'm more worried about his hip." Another retorted with a mocking laugh.

"That's fine. Mock me all you want you fair-weathered demons, but I can break both a leg and a hip. Just as soon as we can determine to whom they'll belong," Onji laughed as he raised the dice once more. "I can see no reason to cast the die for my team, do you? Kinda lacks the suspense. Heh heh, so if you don't mind, I'll just give your die a solo roll."

Onji tossed the die into the air where it spun up in an arch, before landing onto the stone arena, where the cameras zoomed in to follow it. As it stopped it zoomed in on Kuwabara's name.

"Well, what have we here?" Onji smiled.

"Team Urameshi's die calls for Kuwabara to step into the ring now, but the poor fellow is stranded in another dimension. Let's roll again!" Juri spoke, feigning upset at Kuwabara's predicament.

"Not so fast, referee!" We heard Kuwabara shout.

"You've come back to us!" Juri said as she turned to look at Kuwabara who had reached the front row seats and somehow gotten a microphone.

"See, I never get lost anywhere for long." Kuwabara boasted as he pointed towards Juri.

"Oh my! We thought you were dead-and-gone for sure. I guess the 'Cape of No Return' is a misleading name." Koto said as she popped out from beside Kuwabara, no microphone in her hand.

"Ladies and gentlemen and other stuff, Kuwabara returns!" Kuwabara shouted as he struck a pose.

The crowd began to boo him now.

"Well, is this a tough crowd! I've seen funeral parlours more happenin'!" Kuwabara kept trying anyway.

"Boo! Too soon!" I shouted.

"Don't boo him!" Erika said as she covered my mouth.

"As acting captain it's my job to end this with dignity. So let's get ready to rock and roll! Yee-ha!" Kuwbara shouted as if he were about to enter a wrestling match.

Kuwabara began to crack his knuckles as Onji took a fighter's stance. I couldn't help but wonder what Onji had up his sleeve, and hoped that Kuwabara could handle it.

"Bring it, Onji! If you've still got it!" Kuwabara trash talked as he lowered one arm and brought his other down horizontally against his other arm's elbow.

It was a crude western gesture, and one I recognized instantly, as did Erika. It was meant to convey the feeling of 'up yours'.

Onji began to weave his hands around in intricate movements, the shimmer of almost invisible energy gathering around his fingertips. This seemed to catch the crowd's attention as they all began to shout out various ways Onji should kill Kuwabara.

"And by the unquestionable authority of randomly rolled dice, Kuwabara and Onji will fight, starting right now!" Juri announced with a wink.

Kuwabara acted first, striking at Onji and missing miserably each and every time. Onji had since placed his hands behind his back as he dodged every attempted hit.

"I was gonna give you a senior discount, but now it's Spirit time!" Kuwabara said as he summoned his sword.

The energy was always mesmerising each time. It always glowed an amber colour, burning with as much intensity as Kuwabara. He gave it a few test slices before holding it out before him. The fact Onji was giving Kuwabara time to do so wasn't lost on me, Kurama wasn't the only analytical one.

"A weapon like that must use up a lot of energy. Don't burn yourself out too quickly now." Onji warned with a smile.

But Kuwabara ignored him, opting to charge with his sword drawn instead. He missed, once more, as Onji danced away. This only caused Kuwabata to let out an angry howl at his not-so-near miss.

"It might help if you aim for me," Onji mocked, causing Kuwabara to charge at him again. "Oh, too slow!"

Kuwabara charged again, and missed once more. This continued over and over again as Onji continued to taunt Kuwabara into taking the bait.

"Missed me!" Onji taunted, barely breaking a sweat. "Missed me!"

Kuwabara kept swinging his sword, growing angrier and sloppier as Onji continued to dodge, his arms still held behind his back. He had yet to break his stance much less a sweat as he puppeteered Kuwabara around the arena with his jeers.

"This is...actually kind of sad." Erika murmured with an exasperated look on her face.

"Kuwabara's getting too angry to think straight. He's slower than most demons, as well as his entire team, he knows this. I'm sure Kurama told him as much when he was training him. He's going to keep missing if he doesn't use his big dumb brain." I sighed as Kuwabara's grunts and groans echoed through the overhead speakers.

"Oh no..." Yukina quietly gasped as she watched the fight.

"You know, I bet if you cheered him on he'd perk right up and finally land a hit." I said in a sing-song voice.

"Oh...do you really think so?" Yukina questioned as she turned to me.

"Oh, most definitely." Erika said while nodding her head rapidly.

"Oh, yes, you should definitely cheer him on." Botan echoed with her cheshire grin.

"Oh, alright then...Go Kuwabara! You can do it!" She cheered, only slightly louder than she was before.

"You can't just wait for him to die from old age, bro!"" Shizuru shouted, following Yukina's cheer, and then lit a cigarette as if to punctuate her point.

"You don't want to lose and disappoint Yukina, do you?" Botan finished up, nailing the final nail in the coffin.

"Uh...but why would I be disappointed if he lost a fight?" Yukina asked as she turned to Botan in confusion.

"Oh precious naive Yukina, only you would cheer him on at peer pressure but not understand why." Erika chucked as she shook her head.

"Be nice!" I whispered in a hushed tone before lightly smacking Erika's arm.

"What do you mean?" Yukina asked, turning towards Erika next, who was now nursing a non-existent bruise.

"Oh no, sweetie, no. We know you'd never be disappointed in Kuwabara if he lost. That's just what we call motivation, you see!" Botan explained as she literally tried to wave off Yukina's worry.

Kuwabara faltered for a moment at Yukina's voice before swinging at Onji harder, but not faster. I shook my head wondering if Kurama was thinking much the same thing I was. That Kuwabara was going to lose if he kept fighting like he was. It was a constant obvious rhythm of a swing and a miss, a swing and a miss, a swing and a miss. A pattern Onji had easily pulled out of the frustrated Kuwabara. Not even Yukina's kind cheers could change that at this point.

"Where'd you run off to, you slimy weasel?" Kuwabara demanded as he looked around for Onji. "I can't fight you if you vanish!"

"That's kind of the point." I sighed as I fought off a face-palm.

"Oh, is that what you were doing?" Onji asked as he stuck his head out from behind Juri.

Kuwabara whisked around in a 180, raising his sword to point it at Onji. He was breathing heavily in completely unveiled anger, his chest puffing in and out at a rapid pace.

"You sir, are a coward, running and hiding behind the innocent!" Kuwabara accused, attacking Onji's character when he couldn't do so physically. "Why don't you stand in one place and fight like a man?"

"Alright, crybaby," Onji said as he stepped away from Juri, "I'll stand right here and promise not to budge."

"Liar!" Kuwabara instantly admonished with his sword pointed at Onji.

"My body's not so spry these days. I could use the rest." Onji thoughtfully said, despite how nonsensical it would be to do so.

"He's up to something." I sighed as I watched Kuwabara easily fall for it.

"He's a demon on the opposing team, they're always up to something." Erika said with an eyeroll.

"Fine!" Kuwabara spat out, face red and swollen with anger. "Stay put exactly where you are, old man, and I'll help you rest in pieces!"

Kuwabara raised his sword over his head as Kurama let out a barely audible warning to not do it. But he wasn't listening, already taken in by the taunt he was rushing Onji unrestrained with a snarl. Juri let out a scream as she scampered away from where Onji was standing still. Onji's eyes narrowed as Kuwabara got close. His arms sprang out from behind his back as sparks of black energy began to shoot back and forth like electricity. He rotated them in a circle, causing the electric energy to solidify in a dark orb. This caused Kuwabara to stop in his aggressive pursuit, but it was already too late as the circle of energy was now growing in size and heading straight for him.

"Is that supposed to scare me?" Kuwabara taunted, ignoring all instincts of self-preservation. "Spirit Sword!"

As Kuwabara approached the bulbous dark energy, he fell through it, his sword instantly dissipating as he skittered across the ring landing rather painfully on his face.

"I can't believe he walked right into that trap on his own." Kurama sighed.

"I can." I muttered with an eyeroll.

"Sure are muttering a lot lately." Erika chirped, sounding rather pleased with herself.

"Shaddup." I grumbled, this time not muttering a bit.

"He is a first class fool." Hiei said with a roll of his eyes, not sounding the least bit surprised.

"Agreed. A fool and a moron." Genkai added.

"Gees everyone's so mean to poor Kuwabara." Erika awkwardly laughed and looked at me expectantly.

"No, I am usually on Team Kuwabara but he foolishly let his anger get the better of him, you're on your own this time." I sighed with a shake of my head causing Erika to pout.

"An exciting turn! Onji's led Kuwabara inside a big ball, and he can't break free!" Koto explained through the overhead speakers.

"Phrasing." Erika and I said at the same time before we burst out laughing.

Yukina gave us a perplexed look as Shizuru let out a bark of laughter. I merely shook my head as Yukina turned to ask Botan what Erika meant by phrasing, causing the poor grim reaper to choke on her response. I couldn't help but snort as the tension from the previous match quickly dissipated.

"Who knows what's planned for this boy in a bubble?" Koto finished with a hoot of excitement.

Kuwabara was now pressing against his enclosure, attempting to fight spirit energy with brute force. His face pressed awkwardly as he pushed with all his might to break out. The enclosure was slowly growing smaller, but I don't think Kuwabara noticed as he continued to shout at Onji to let him out.

"Hey!" Kuwabara barked as he kept attempting to use brute force. "Let me outta here you stupid trickster!"

"Don't worry. This is going to feel something like Shishiwakamaru's Cape of No Return. You do remember what that was like, don't you?" Onji explained with a small chuckle at the memory. "After all, that wasn't very long ago, and it's tough to forget being transported through a different dimension. Shishi required the piece of cloth I gave him to perform this technique, but since I invented it, I don't need any props. The other four members of Team Uraotogi were mere fillers so I could enter the tournament, but they never amounted to anything without me and my gifts. The Steaming Spheres, The Idunn box, the Banshee Shriek. All specially-tailored by little old me."

Onji began to wave his hand in an upwards movement, causing the ball Kuwabara was in to rise. Onji began to full out belly laugh as he rotated his hand sideways and Kuwabara began to rotate upside down. Hitting his head against the bubble of energy, Kuwabara attempted to right himself and summon his spirit sword to slash his way out.

"I'm gonna get you, punk!" Kuwabara shouted as his image started to distort and twist around.

Then, as suddenly as he was there, he was gone, again. That had to be a low blow for his ego at this point, he had been spirited away twice now. Somehow, despite the constant threat of death I kept forgetting I was now in an anime that was comedic, especially with its timing. Read that as sarcasm by the way. It did diffuse a lot of the worry, if only for a moment, before the worry of where he went this time set in. Even if Erika knew who would survive and who wouldn't didn't guarantee anything anymore now that there were other Geists here set on some sort of malicious takeover of this universe.

"I know where this one's going! Kuwabara's out of the ring and won't be back in ten! The winner's Onji!" Juri declared as she waved a hand towards Onji.

That poor girl was beyond done with this tournament it seemed. She wasn't having any better of a time than the rest of us despite being a demon and for a moment I felt sympathy for how she was constantly stuck in the fray. She was only brought in recently too. What a shit first official gig.

"Think he ended up in the same place as last time?" Botan asked as she gave us all a concerned look.

"My baby bro isn't some weakling, wherever he is I'm sure he's fine and will be back soon." Shizuru sighed as she sucked on a cigarette that was now burning at the filter.

"Kuwabara..." Yukina said with concern glowing in her eyes.

"Twice? Is this kid for real?" I hissed as I waved towards the ring and gave Erika a pointed look to which she only shrugged.

The rest of Team Urameshi, which consisted of Kurama, Hiei, and Genkai, stepped into the ring to see who was going to be fighting Onji next. I couldn't help how anxious I was growing at the thought of Kurama fighting once more. I knew he was more than capable, but I was actually afraid having seen it happen so frequently as of late. It wasn't just my worry for him either. We were bound to one another by malicious means, and I felt every bit of pain he couldn't block out for me. In a way it felt like every fight he was a part of held a piece of me on the line, as if I were somehow in the fight too. It was something beyond horrifying that I couldn't begin to put into words. So I didn't, I just sat here hiding behind sarcasm and nail-biting worry.

Onji remained standing across from them, a pleased grin still spread across his old face. I frowned and wished I could squish his stupid little head, but quickly squashed the idea knowing it was both juvenile as well as impossible. Onji let out a small chuckle with a shake of his head, as if thinking fondly to himself before he looked towards Team Urameshi.

"Let's see who I'll have the pleasure of humiliating next. I've got a faint feeling in my old trick knee that it's gonna be you," Onji said as he looked towards Kurama and reached into his tunic and pulled out his single die. "Now, I know all the secrets of the Idunn Box, and I can change you into whatever form I please. So sorry, but you'll have to fight me in your human form."

"Isn't that the box that turned Kurama into..." I started to ask before trailing off.

"Youko? Yup it is." Erika grinned, understanding my question despite me never finishing it.

"Presumptive, considering you haven't yet rolled." Kurama said with a level voice, but eyes full of venom.

Onji rolled as if unbothered and the single die cracked and clacked against the tile ring, before landing on mask. Onji began to chuckle as the rest of Team Urameshi left the ring, leaving Genkai alone to stare down the horrible old man. Whatever tricks Onji had hidden in his sleeve was less likely to work on Genkai, considering no one knew who she was until recently. I could only guess we had seen all he had in his bag of tricks already, hopefully.

"So it's the Unmasked Warrior's turn to meet her doom. Isn't this a riot? The battle of the elderly!" Onji goaded Genaki with a grin.

"Why don't you drop your tired act and lose the disguise. You won't be fooling anyone else with that crappy mask." Genkai declared with a glare.

"Hmm?" Onji said as he raised an eyebrow.

"Disguise?" Kurama asked, as equally surprised as I felt.

So he did have more tricks left in his bag then, interesting. If Kurama hadn't noticed himself, I wondered what Genkai noticed that he hadn't. Call me biassed, but Kurama was rarely without an answer. I should have been worried this tournament had thrown him for a loop as much as it had lately, but I was preoccupied with trying to stay alive.

"I don't know who you are, but you're no old man. And in case you haven't noticed, I'm not the kind of person who will underestimate you based on false age." Genkai chastised as she stared Onji down.

"You've got a pretty sharp eye, there, for such an ugly worn past-its-prime body. You're the first to notice. I even masked my own energy," Onji said as he stood up straighter as began to tear off the skin on his face revealing a face of inky luminous skin. "You see, disguise is one of my favourite hobbies. To be brutally honest, there are a few things I find more repulsive than old people. That moth-ball smell that hovers around them makes me absolutely retch. That's why I chose this getup. I thought wearing the skin of something I abhorred would all the more fuel my rage. Now...Fallaces sunt rerum species tamquam alter idem flamma fumo est!"

A cloud of pink puffed out around Onji as his voice grew younger and deeper as his laughter echoed around the ring. As the smoke dissipated I could finally catch a glimpse of what Onji really looked like. Standing in a flourished pose, arms above his head, he was wearing a pink clown onesie with a green spiked collar, a blue belt with a yellow heart buckle, and blue curled toed boots. His hair was no longer grey hanging around his ears, it was now blond and spiked atop his head. Adorning his face was pale clown makeup, blue lipstick, a red nose, and a purple heart around one eye. The left eye had a metal eyepatch with the hole cut out so he could still see. His skin was now young, no longer wrinkled, and held a light tan with his pale complexion.

"Thank goodness! Free at last! A few more minutes smothered under that mask, and I might've got real wrinkles!" Onji lamented in an overtly sweet tone as he began to hug his body lovingly. "I plan to die while I'm still handsome, before I show any signs of ageing. It's the price artists have to pay. A harsh fate to accept. My image is my greatest masterpiece, and that is how I plan to live on as a legend eternitus! I'm relying on all of you, the fans, that witness my art to recount it throughout the generations and keep me alive! Ladies and gentlemen, feast your eyes on the master of a thousand faces and tricks, the one, the only, the Beautiful Suzuki!" Suzuki declared as he began to cackle.

"Of course I'd hate to ruin a piece of art, Suzuki, but I have no hold ups with you. You're a piece of trash." Genkai said, sounding unimpressed.

"Never refer to me by my name alone without placing 'beautiful' in front of it, or you won't live to repeat your mistake. 'Beautiful' is a word made just for me and we two shall never part!" Suzuki declared, his threat obvious as he began laughing again.

"Delusional!" Genkai responded, seemingly thoroughly unimpressed.

"This idiot makes Kuwabara seem smart." Hiei scoffed in a mocking tone.

"I admit, I'm embarrassed listening to him." Kurama agreed with a cringe as he watched.

"Well, the decrepit Onji has transformed into Suzuki. With an odd, better make that interesting, wardrobe selection on his part." Koto announced as she seemed to lean in to get a better look.

This caught Suzuki's attention and he instantly stopped laughing and flicked his wrist towards Koto. Koto let out a shriek and dodge what I now realised was a playing card as it embedded itself into a demon's skull. She quickly looked up at the now dead demon, before she peered out over her little announcers table. Her ears were flattened against her head as she nervously peered at Suzuki.

"I've already told you to put a 'beautiful' in front of my name. It's very important." Suzuki chastised as he glowered at Koto.

"For somebody who wants to be known by the world, you sure hide behind a lot of masks. You must be compensating for something abysmal." Genkai goaded as she crossed her arms.

"The greatest legends are all shrouded in ambiguity. It seems the imagination is more captivated by the unknown. People are simply more inclined to build up in their own minds that which they cannot see, or which have multiple incarnations. Look at how they fear the Devil and revere God. With mystery comes colossal power! And that power will be mine. In a thousand years, they'll worship me, and each will have a unique vision and they'll say, 'The Beautiful Suzuki, he looked like this!' and another will say, 'No, he looked like this!' 'No, like that!' 'Like this!' And each vision will be grander than the last and I will live on forever!" Suzuki explained, once more laughing most likely at his own brilliance.

"I don't get what's so funny." Hiei muttered.

"I thought clowns made everybody else laugh." Kurama said in response, causing me to snort.

"Let it be sung throughout the land that upon my victory at this tournament, I'll first eradicate the elderly from the world, in honour of the soon-to-be-late Genkai! And then, I shall strike down all who refuse to worship me, the Beautiful Suzuki! And that will be that." Suzuki declared with finality.

"Yeah, I think Genkai hit the nail on the head when she pegged him as delusional..." I sighed as I dragged my hand down my face at the second-hand embarrassment I was feeling.

The crowd began to uproar, shouting all manner of disagreement and dirty language at Suzuki. Unlike Shishi, Suzuki didn't seem to have any following whatsoever. He seemed to be a veritable nobody despite how big of a game he was talking up. Perhaps the rest of the demons had hit their breaking point much like Juri and Koto seemed to be.

"Go back to the circus!" Botan shouted, her hands curved around her mouth.

"Obey this, asshole." Shizuru barked out as she flipped Suzuki off.

Suzuki merely held out a hand and a massive burst of blue energy shot forth taking out a section of the audience not far from where we were. Botan and Shizuru jumped backwards into Yukina, Erika, and I causing us all to land in a lump of limbs. Rumble few everywhere as the air grew heavy with dust. At this point not much of the audience seemed to remain, and every single attack was growing steadily closer to where we were.

"Maybe we should stop goading the demon now, guys..." I muttered as I sank down in my seat.

"Yeah, watching this on TV didn't really prepare me for this much...death." Erika agreed with an uncomfortably slow nod.

"I'm not a fan of insubordination." Suzuki merely explained as if speaking to us.

"This wacko's serious about this domination stuff." A demon to our right gasped.

"This sucks. Now we can't root for either of 'em." Said another.

"For once they're showing taste." Hiei spat out with an angered look on his face.

"Guess I fired 'em up! Ahahahahahaha!" Suzuki said as he began to laugh at his own joke.

"So, um, you think you might be ready?" Juri asked as she turned to Genkai.

"Yes, let's shut this jerk up!" Genkai confirmed.

"Right! Let the battle begin!" Juri stated as she waved her hand downwards causing Suzuki to stop laughing.

"You're feeling so confident because you managed to defeat my front man. But while I did teach him everything that he knew, I didn't teach him everything that I do," Suzuki laughed as he spread his arms out wide. "Don't even think of using that same energy-borrowing stunt on me. For that to work, you have to lock onto its exact wavelength, and as you're no doubt discovering, I can disguise that as well."

Suzuki let out a few colourful poses as his energy kept changing as each one. He let out another laugh as Genkai furrowed her brow in concentration. She was trying to get a read of him, waiting for Suzuki to make the first move. She held a level of control most of the other fighters didn't seem to have, except for Kurama. Well...when he wasn't Youko anyway.

"And he wanted to fight Kurama first...but even he had no idea his old man look was a disguise." I sighed as I chewed on my bottom lip.

"Genkai is incredibly smart too, she'll be able to suss him out." Erika said with a nod.

"You're frustrated! You can sense how I have so much energy, but you can't hone in on it! Marvel at my art as I unleash my palette! I call this one Rainbow Cyclone! [find jap. Name and provide a citation] Ahahahahahahaha!"

Streams of energy in different colours of the rainbow began to shoot out from him as he spun in a circle, before they began to spiral around one another and shot towards Genkai. Appearing to take the brunt of it, Genkai was flung from the ring and into one of the surrounding walls.

"Oh Genkai!" Botan gasped.

"It seems Suzuki, I mean it seems the Beautiful Suzuki has blasted Genkai with his gorgeous Rainbow Cyclone [citation needed]. And he didn't just knock her into the wall, he knocked her right smack through it!" Koto declared as she stood up to get a better view.

"It's truly a spectacular attack. Not only is it lethal, but it's killer to look at! All those vibrant colours are so lovely, aren't they? Though I'm sure Genkai didn't think so as they plunged through her heart and blasted her into that wall!" Suzuki laughed as he began to pose in victory. "You, what are you waiting for?"

"Oh, right, out of the ring. I'll start the count." Juri answered as she raised her arm. "One..."

"What a tragedy it's over." Suzuki lamented as Juri continued her count. "I had nine hundred ninety-nine more faces and nine-hundred ninety-nine more tricks I wanted to use."

"Five..." Juri said, still counting.

"Genkai's emerged from the rubble unharmed. There's not even a scar or a bloody gash on this woman!" Koto declared, causing me to turn and see Genkai stepping out from the hole in the wall. "Not that that makes the Beautiful Suzuki's beautiful attack any less beautiful."

"Forgive me if I'm not impressed." Suzuki sighed as he stood there, looking off for some reason.

"I know, you play by higher standards, but at least give me credit for the nose." Genkai chuckled, causing Suzuki to look down at his own nose; or lack thereof.

Letting out a gasp, much like many in the audience did, he discovered his red clown nose had been pilfered and was no longer sitting on his face.

"If I'd had more time, I would've taken that big, ugly grin off your face too." Genkai declared as she spun Suzuki's red nose around her finger.

"But...when'd you do that?" Juri asked, beyond confused.

"Naturally my eyes could follow every inch of Genkai's movement. '' Kurama said, causing me to actually facepalm this time.

"Liar." I grumbled.

"I saw the whole thing too." Hiei agreed.

"They're both liars." Erika scoffed.

As if to add to the drama the door to the stadium opened up behind Kurama and Hiei and out stepped a huffing and puffing Kuwabara surprising everyone. My eyes reached up into my hairline as I was left gaping, but feeling relieved Kuwabra was okay.

"Hey, he's back!" Botan chirped.

"Told ya he would be." Shizuru chuckled as she lit up another cigarette.

"Kuwabara!" Kurama greeted the out-of-breath young man.

"And only five hundred seconds too late to matter." Hiei said looking not at all impressed, if anything he looked less impressed.

"Hey...where's...that guy...I was fighting?" Kuwabara asked between huffs. " I wasn't...done...yet."

"So which is more humiliating, losing to an old man or to a clown?" Hiei asked as he nodded towards the ring.

"A clown, definitely a clown!" Kuwabara declared, obviously choosing the opposite of what he thought he had lost too.

"Hey!" Suzuki admonished Genkai as she hit him in the face with his own nose.

"You lost a nose, who cares? I've ripped off vital organs that were real!" Genkai scoffed, not enjoying the interruption.

"But I feel so naked without it!" Suzuki cried as he pranced around covering his nose.

"Stop your whining, you joker," Genkai said as she cracked her knuckles. "I put my whole body through hell to make it strong enough for my Spirit Wave Orb. And you're crying about some nasal accessory. You're not a real fighter. I sure as hell won't waste what little Spirit Energy I have left on your half-assed routine. Why it won't take more than these two bare, wrinkled fists to knock that clownish make-up right off your face and onto the concrete, right next to your rubber nose. So come on, kiddo. No matter what you throw, I promise not to use any weapon other than my own muscles to pound the beauty out of you."

Genkai began to shift from one food to the other, hopping back and forth as she raised both fists to brawl.

"I'm not scared of an old lady. If you're not using your Spirit Energy then neither will I!" Suzuki declared as he raised his arms to show off his muscles. "Toguro's got nothing on me! Welcome to the Body of Steel Muscle Explosion! Ahahaha! Will you just look at these magnificent washboard abs?"

"Pfft, I've seen better." I said with an eye roll.

"I bet you have!" Botan said with her cheshire grin.

"Oh fuck off not like that! I had a life before I met all of you, ya know. I was an adult and everything..." I grumbled as I crossed my arms in a huff.

"Watch me now as I rhythmically flex my pecs!" Suzuki said as he posed once more and began to flex his pecs back and forth.

"Let me tell you what your problem is, Suzuki." Genkai started to say.

"You didn't say 'beautiful' before my name?" Suzuki interrupted obnoxiously.

"Admittedly you have talent. You helped scrounge up a team of third-rate demons and found weapons suiting them well enough to get them to the semifinals. You know more about arsenals and techniques than anyone I've met. But like a true idiot you forgot all about your strength. You're nothing but surface. A souped-up car without an engine to move it. You're even weaker than your front man." Genkai mocked as she raised a finger and pointed it rudely at Suzuki.

This caused him to let out a snarl as he launched himself at Genkai. Genkai stopped him with a steel-fisted punch, sending him careening. He skittered across the tile much like Kuwabara had. Genkai raced after his speeding body and jumped, landing onto Suzuki's back which let out a horrific crack, over and over again. Her feet digging into the meat of it to meet his spine. Jumping off his back she let out a mighty kick which sent him spinning towards the ceiling. His body began its downward momentum as he fell back into the ring. Genkai met his falling body with a knuckle to his spine and Suzulo went limp.

"Wow, she's amazing!" Kuwabara said his mouth agape.

"And the fact that he's substandard doesn't help him much." Kurama added with a sigh.

"You see?" Genkai asked as she landed another hit on Suzuki's broken and battered body over and over again.

Suzuki's pained gasps echoed around the stadium so loud I was wincing.

"You just don't have what it takes! That's enough," Genkai said as she stopped littering Suzuki's body with bruises. "Oh I forgot to look at that so-called beautiful face of his."

He fell to the ring, his face a bloodied mess. I wasn't so sure there was much of a face to look at left, but I sure that Genaki was being sarcastic. I was left feeling amazement spread across my limbs. I wasn't aware any human could do something like that so easily. It was...amazing.

"You...okay?" Juri asked as Suzuki's body finally fell to the ring for good this time.

Juri poked at his unconscious form with her foot a few times till she nodded to herself and stepped away.

"It seems Beautiful Suzuki, who has a remarkably firm-tush, is pretty much incapacitated, making Genkai the winner!" Juri announced as the large screen looming over the ring changed to reflect her win.

"Genkai's great!" Botan gushed.

"She is cool." Shizuru agreed as she took a puff of her cigarette.

"C'mon, the semi finals are done, let's go meet up with the boys." Erika said as she shouldered her bag and tugged on my hand.

"Sounds like a good idea, I'm so hungry I could eat a horse!" Botan said as she shot up to her feet.

"When are you not hungry?" I laughed as we filled out of the stadium and ventured down the stairs to where the boys were.

We saw Kuwabara first as he launched himself towards Yukina once he caught sight of her, despite Hiei's murderous expression. Boton clapped Kuwabara on the back as she made a few disappearing jokes at his red-faced expense. I couldn't stop the smile from crossing my face at Kuwabara's innocent expression of adoration for Yukina. A small part of me felt bitter at how complicated all of my own feelings of love had become, but as quickly as it came it dissipated as I watched Yukina smile brightly back at him.

"C'mon you dopes, let's head back to the hotel, maybe get something to eat, yeah?" Shizuru asked, a cigarette balanced precariously between her lips as she spoke.

"Sounds good to me, I'm starving!" Kuwabara said boisterously.

"When are you not, you buffoon." Hiei grumbled out as he winced at the loudness.

"See Hiei is even so hungry he's cranky!" Botan laughed as she started trying to herd us out of the stadium.

"He's hangry." Erika supplied, causing Botan to giggle.

"Excuse you, I am not 'hangry'!" Hiei attempted to dissuade, but his words were lost amongst their giggles.

"How are you feeling?" I asked, my eyes finally falling on Kurama.

I wasn't sure what to really say to him. Everything that had been bottled up had boiled ever. I wasn't sure where we stood with one another, especially with how freely his demon self had shared himself through the link with me, while his more human part would not. What was once warm felt so starkly cold now. It was hard to describe the rift between us because we were never organically close like most everyone else here. Victims of circumstance if you were looking at it pessimistically, and I was at this point. It was becoming harder and harder to see him in the light I once had, and my now obvious feelings weren't the problem. It was the fact they seemed to pull us further apart, and we never were that close to begin with. I think anyway, I'm not really sure anymore. He confused me more and more every single day and my nerves were beyond fried. So I settled on niceties in the hopes that faking it really would make it.

It never worked before, but I never did claim to be sane.

"Hmm. Hungry, I could go for something to eat myself." He smiled as he stopped to stand before me and placed his calming hand on my shoulder.

The warmth spread through my appendage and I couldn't stop the soft smile from spreading. If Youko had never manifested it would have been easy to resign myself to the acceptance that Kurama found me to be a burden, but now I wasn't so sure. That moment had anchored something into my heart that caused me to feel both euphoric and cynical at the same time; it gave me hope and I hated it.

"Come on, let's not get left behind." He said as he nodded towards our group who were already heading through the doors.

His hand left my arm and the spot it had rested soon grew cold in its absence. The pit in my stomach grew as I watched Kurama walk after everyone. It was hard to explain why watching him walk away made me feel empty, but perhaps it was because that's what I always expected him to do, and metaphorically I didn't want him too.

"Yeah, me too." I replied quietly to myself, feeling empty as I followed Kurama through the stadium doors.

The feeling of loss lingered as the taste of death simmered on my mind. The way things were headed now was nowhere good, and eventually something was going to give. I doubted it would be Kurama, so I knew with every crack I was growing closer to a breakdown. I wonder if he knew? I wonder if he cared?

~Break~

"Can you believe we made it to the finals? You guys were all super!" Botan gushed as we filed through the halls and towards the hotel.

"We?" I heard Hiei scoff.

"I got a kick out of watching you fight, Kazuma." Yukina added in her praise with a bright smile.

"Why, thank you Yukina! It's nice to see someone appreciate my strategy," Kuwabara said, positively glowing from her praise. "You see there was no one worth wasting my energy on, so I had the bad guys reveal their weaknesses so Genkai could knock 'em down."

"Oh sure, now he thinks quickly on his feet." I said, barely catching Kurama covering his chuckle with his hand.

"More like you made a big mess and Genkai cleaned up after you, like someone always does." Shizuru said in a deadpan.

"Hey, that stung! You take that back, sis!" Kuwabara complained as he got up into Shizuru's face.

"Just the truth, bro." Shizuru calmly said back.

"Well no one cares!" Kuwabara spat back.

"Actually, I'd like to hear it." Hiei pipped in, adding fuel to the fire.

"Stay out of this, shorty!" Kuwabara shouted as he turned to glare at Hiei.

"I kinda wanna hear it too-owch!" I sucked in a breath as Kurama's elbow made contact with my side.

"Now children, behave!" Botan attempted to settle the peace.

"I'm leaving." Genkai declared as she walked away, not even acknowledging our childish behaviour.

"It took all of us working as a team to make it this far." Kurama said, joining in on Botan's attempts to keep the peace.

"Not him!" Hiei shot back right on the heel of Kurama talking.

"I fought just as many fights as you did!" Kuwabara shouted as if he hadn't heard Botan or Kurama.

"And lost them both." Hiei supplied.

"Oh yeah? Well you weren't the one who had to go spinning through outer space!" Kuwabara shot back.

"Huh, I had always wondered where he went when he was in between." Erika said as if a lightbulb had gone off inside her head.

"Not helping." I huffed.

"Oh, and you were?" Erika asked.

"No no, we are not going to start fighting too." I muttered with a pointed look.

"Aww, but I wanted to join in." Erika said with a pout.

"You better thank your lucky stars then because you were about as useful as dead as you are alive. Being teleported away to safety was pure luck which you clearly rely on." Hiei scoffed.

"That's it shorty, you and me in the ring right now!" Kuwabara declared as Shizuru began to pull him away from Hiei.

"Whoa settle down there baby bro, everyone needs to rest." She said as she began to steer him past Hiei who was still glaring at Kuwabara.

~Break~

We ordered food to our hotel room to avoid the other demons, teams, and folks who would love to take advantage of everyone's injuries and momentary weakness. Scattered around the boys' living area of their room I found myself squeezed between Botan and Erika on one couch. Kurama sat across from us on the other, his arms stretched out over the back. Yukina, Keiko, and Shizuru were scattered amongst various chairs. Kuwabara and Yusuke, who had abandoned the couch Kurama lounged on, sat arguing in the middle of the floor their food strewn about. Hiei had tucked himself near a window away from everyone's general gaze, but close enough to snipe at Kuwabara whenever the opportunity presented itself.

I couldn't really remember what I had ordered, moving on autopilot as the adrenaline started to wear off. Picking at the leftover side that appeared to be a piece of carrot, I listened to the conversation at hand, not missing Kurama's ever so often gaze. Things were still tense and awkward and after everything that had happened, neither of us knew where our footing was. It was like a decade-long dance that suddenly changed its tempo and neither of us could pick it up. Unsure what to do we simply floated around one another, sometimes passing by one another but never staying for long.

"So are we just not going to talk about how this new chick has clearly joined us?" Yusuke asked, startling me out of my thoughts as he zeroed in on me and Erika.

"Who?" Erika asked as every curious eye turned to her.

"You." Yusuke said as he pointed at her.

"I've been here a few days, I don't think I am all that new. Plus I did get an introduction during one of your matches." Erika said with a blink.

"As you already know, her name's Erika and she's an old friend." I explained before Yusuke could respond any further.

"From America?" Kuwabara asked, annoying Yusuke as he interrupted him too.

"Something like that." I answered just as Erika opened her mouth to no doubt correct him.

"Alright, well, welcome to the group I guess. Even though none of you should technically be here." Yusuke said as he shoved another mouthful of food into his yappy trap.

"Uhh, ok, eww." Erika muttered to herself causing me to snort.

"What did you expect, Yusuke, that I'd just sit around while you got yourself killed?" Keiko huffed as she crossed her arms and slumped back into her chair.

"I expected you to not track Botan down and make her take you all here. Maybe stay where it's safe and focus on homework or something." Yusuke said as he rolled his eyes.

Botan nervously checked as she waved her hand in front of her face. I raised an eyebrow at her and shook my head.

"Homework?! Is that all you think I do?" Keiko asked with a huff, her face turning red.

"You're always harping on me to do mine, what am I supposed to think?" Yusuke deflected as he shoved another spoonful in his mouth.

"Wow, you break to anyone who applies just a little pressure don't you." I sighed as I looked at Botan.

"What can I say, Yusuke can be scary when he wants to be, and so can Keiko. It's a match made in heaven!" Botan said as she clapped her hands nervously.

The rest of dinner resulted in Keiko and Yusuke loudly proclaiming they were NOT a match made anywhere. I turned my gaze to Kurama who quickly averted his own to watch Yusuke and Keiko with amusement. I won't lie, it did sting that he was avoiding me, but I wasn't really being much better. In fact, I was dreading the moment I'd find myself alone with him.

~Break~

When we returned to our rooms Shizuru instantly took residence on the couch and stretched out with an already opened beer in her hand. I would have been amazed if I hadn't spent several nights with her already. Keiko bid us goodnight as she headed to bed feeling like calling it early tonight. I couldn't blame her, today had been hell on all of us and Yusuke had been trying at dinner before they had started arguing.

"I think I'm going to call it an early night too." I said as I headed towards my own room, which I was now sharing with Erika and Botan.

"Yeah, I'm tired too." Erika chirped as she followed after me, Botan trailing behind.

I wasted no time in stripping off my clothes and bundling myself into a comfy pair of cotton blue PJ's. I heard the door click closed and saw Botan sitting down on the edge of the bed, her feet kicking back and forth. Erika sat down on the opposite side and gave me a funny look just as I pulled my PJ shirt down.

"What?" I asked as I straightened my clothing out and turned to put my dirty ones in my bag.

"Nothing, just wondering how you're actually doing." Erika asked as if she were asking about the weather.

I faltered for a moment in zipping my bag up, wondering how to actually answer her. As I turned around, I noticed Botan's legs had stopped swinging. Well, it was going to be like this then huh? Taking a deep breath I pressed my palms against my pant legs and dragged them down. I was feeling sweaty all of a sudden, like I didn't quite fit my body anymore.

"Not great." I decided on answering as I went to sit down next to Erika.

"What's up? I mean, other than the obvious." Erika asked as she placed a warm hand on my back.

"I just..." I started to say, my tongue starting to feel heavy. "I feel like I can't do anything, like I'm caught up in a current with no choice but to let it take me."

No one said anything at first and I took a moment to swallow and collect my thoughts. I clasped my hands and my thumbs began to twist around one another. I had a sense of deja vu as my thoughts collected at the forefront. I hadn't actually voiced my thoughts out loud before, hadn't had any friends but Kurama to share them with. But I knew I had Erika at one point in my past life, so I couldn't entirely be alone. I looked up and caught Botan's eyes, yeah definitely not alone.

"Is it the tournament?" Botan asked as she leaned forward, her elbows balanced on her knees.

"I mean, it's not exactly the tournament, although it is causing a lot of things to come up or potentially kill us. I just, I don't feel safe anymore, and I know after...what happened...happened, it would be weird if I did, but it's more than that. Before I always had Kurama around. I always had strong memories of him being powerful but...I didn't realise what that meant to actually be in his life, be dragged into this, and how he's..." I tried to string my thoughts together.

"Emotionally constipated?" Erika supplied, causing Botan to snort and Erika to turn to her. "What, you know I'm right."

"Yes, well while that is true I think I always kind of knew that. I mean...I didn't think he was this...different. I feel so small when I look at him now. It wasn't just seeing him at full strength as Youko, but also feeling it. It's like how much weaker he is now has made him more cold." I attempted to explain.

"More cold? But Youko was a dangerous demon who killed without issue, while Kurama stole a mirror to save his human mother. How is sweet Kurama who loves his mother more than anything colder than cruel master thief Youko?" Botan asked in a fast jumble of exposition.

"Yes, but Youko now, with Kurama's human experiences and relationships, was less afraid of being bound to me if that makes sense. He left the connection completely open, he seemed almost...happy, or perhaps amused is the better word. Kurama always keeps me shut out, and for a while I just assumed it was for the best, but when Youko reopened it I didn't feel so alone anymore, and the funny thing is I hadn't realised I was even lonely to begin with. I know it sounds stupid but it felt like Youko actually liked me and Kurama just finds me to be a burden," I spouted out in a rush of emotion. "I guess I didn't realise how closed off from me he actually was, how little I know about him, about everything...how much I depend upon him and very little of that is ever in my control. I guess...I just thought we were closer than we actually are."

"You feel like a doll." Erika supplied as a lightbulb went off behind her eyes.

"Yeah, I guess so. Kind of like a doll. I know Kurama cares if I get hurt and such, but he doesn't seem to care enough to...let me in on what's really going on. I know he's probably trying to spare me all the stress and anxiety but...not knowing feels worse. I feel like I'm just a passive passenger on this ride." I finished, my thumbs no longer twisting.

"What if we make it so you don't have to be so passive?" Erika asked.

"What?" I responded, not quite cluing in on what she meant.

"Oh! Yeah!" Botan said as she jumped to her feet. "That's a good idea."

"What's a good idea?" I asked, still not getting it.

"What if you trained so you could defend yourself and not always have to rely upon Kurama?" Erika asked with a glint in her eye.

"Oh...that...that might actually help." I blinked, realising what she meant.

If I didn't want to be passive anymore, I could start taking action. I wasn't sure what that would all entail, but with Erika and Botan backing me up I knew I would be able to figure it all out.

~Break~

I had gone to sleep not long after Botan and Erika decided on a plan to help me train. I was relieved to have more help, and I was even more relieved to feel like everything didn't just depend on Kurama anymore between us. I had abilities and strength, I could help and take care of myself for once. I mulled over my leftover thoughts from last night as I got dressed for the day. Donning my previous sweater dress, a pair of shorts, and black thigh highs I took a moment to stare longingly into my bag of mostly soiled clothes. I was running low on warm garments given how quickly we had all bailed to follow Botan here. She hadn't been exactly clear on the climate or how long. Pulling the hem down as I settled onto the couch I had a moment to just breathe. It was still quiet out, Erika was still sleeping, Botan was off doing her job, or so she said, and Keiko and Yukina were quietly doing their own thing, relaxing in our shared living area.

I opened the school book I had brought with me so I could work on the homework we had for the winter holidays. I wasn't sure if anyone else had brought theirs, but I knew no doubt Kurama and Keiko had already finished theirs well in advance. After reading the same sentence for the fifth time, I closed my eyes with a groan. I was distracted, too distracted to do any sort of homework. Reaching up I rubbed the bridge of my nose as I shifted myself on the couch in an attempt to recenter myself. But all I could think about was everything that had happened the past few days, as well as...Youko. He was on my mind a lot lately and I couldn't help how my mind kept wandering to how he had seemed pleased I was there. It was the last thing I had ever expected from him, since Kurama as his human self didn't seem to share the sentiment.

I couldn't help but wonder how different they were, how much of Kurama was Youko and vice versa. They were the same person right? I couldn't really remember much about it from the show, but if they were the same person why did they act and feel so very different? Were they different people now who end up fusing later on? Amalgamations of one another? Shaped by the same memories but with different wishes and wants? Where does Youko end and Kurama begin? Could I even ask Kurama about all of this, would he even answer? I was interrupted from my thoughts about Youko vs Kurama by a knock at the door, jarred from my own thoughts as my maths book lay forgotten on my lap.

"Come in!" Keiko shouted towards the door, not bothering to look up from the book she was reading.

Kurama entered the room causing me to snap my book shut rather audibly. Sitting up I gave him a questioning look as he smiled at Keiko who had looked up from her own book with a confused look. My book snapping shut had clearly startled her enough to pay attention to both of us. She shifted her gaze from Kurama's soft smile to my sour-puss face as her brows pinched together in thought. I looked around and saw Yukina blatantly watching us with an equally confused expression on her face.

"I hope you don't mind my interruption." He said as he walked towards me.

"What's up?" I asked as I placed my book to the side.

"I was wondering if we could talk." Kurama said as his eyes glanced briefly towards Keiko and Yukina.

"I should go check on Yusuke anyways." Keiko said as she and Yukina stood to leave the room, fleeing the immense awkward energy oozing from us.

"Alright, bye then." I muttered as the door clicked shut.

I crossed my arms in some sort of metaphorical barrier as I looked up at Kurama who was now just standing there awkwardly in silence. I wasn't sure what I was expecting him to say or do, but I still felt the need to put a barrier between us, as if to shield myself from what was no doubt going to upset me. After all, that seemed to be all we were doing lately, upsetting one another.

"They seemed to be in a hurry." He joked as he moved to sit beside me.

"Gee, I wonder why." I said with an eye-roll, shifting myself on the couch to place more distance between us.

I was trying to avoid looking at him as I not-so-subtly moved away, but when he tilted his body towards mine, my eyes followed as if on cue. When my eyes met his, he knew he had captured my attention. With a small smile he tilted his head as if submissively, to placate my very clear upset.

"Look, Ana, I know everything lately has been a lot. I just wanted to see how you're doing, truthfully." He said as he placed a hand on my knee.

I looked down at it before glancing back up at him. Taking a moment to collect my thoughts I placed my hand on his, my fingers curling around the meat of it. My thoughts and feelings clashed into tiny shards of ice that pierced at my heart with every beat. I could feel the tingling sensation where his skin met mine and felt an instant wash of shame at my involuntary reaction to him and the desperation that soon flooded my veins to prolong the contact and leave his hand where it was.

"We both know how I'm doing, you can feel it. It's me who should be asking you that, now why are you really here." I said as I pulled his hand from his knee and let it fall to his lap.

Kurama almost winced as he withdrew his hand to his side. I wasn't sure why I was being so acerbic, but I couldn't stand how every word felt like it held several other meanings. I wanted Kurama to be clear with me for once. To stop treating me as if I was a loaded gun ready to go off. Just what was he so constantly afraid of around me? I was stuck attempting to piece together the puzzle that was his intentions and feelings. It was a fruitless task I hadn't been able to stop myself from doing for years. I was beginning to grow tired of it.

"Is it really that hard to believe I care about you, Ana?" He asked as a faraway look took his eyes.

The look made the pit in my stomach drop out from under me. For a moment I felt like I was left floundering with the emotions he was bringing forth. He had asked something I had asked myself a million times, and at this point I wasn't sure which answer I was trying to gaslight myself into believing anymore. I knew what I wanted, but the embarrassment of my own feelings began to burn a hole in my throat. Taking a deep breath I looked away, breaking the almost spell he had me under.

"I mean, lately, can you blame me?" I asked as I looked up at the ceiling, feeling intensely awkward.

"No, I suppose not." Kurama said in a hushed out sigh.

Tension was thick in the air now, so thick I felt like I could barely breathe. I didn't want it to feel like this between us, but I wasn't sure it was really my choice anymore. I was always bending to his whims and I was tired of it. The anger hit my core like lightning and my lips twisted as my brows bunched up. My thoughts going a mile a minute the only thing I could find in myself to grasp was the hurt and anger warring within my gut.

"Why are you really here?" I asked, averting my eyes to look at him finally, the sharp edge in my tone feeling foreign to direct at Kurama.

"I really did want to find out how you're doing. Despite being able to feel you, that doesn't mean I know all the specifics, Ana." He said, sounding oh so tired.

But I was tired too and I couldn't help the long sigh that I let out at his answer. My eyes were still trying to look anywhere else in the room except him, but I couldn't. I could feel the sting in my eyes, panicking me to end this conversation before it even began as the emotions slowly became too much to handle.

"I know that," I said, taking a breath to steady my voice despite the war of emotions swirling inside me. "I also know that you've never been keen on asking this much before. Did something happen?"

As if electrocuted, Kurama sat up straight and looked down towards his hands. It was as if I had hit the nail on the head and I was left waffling. It was always the other way around between us and I felt as if my gut was punched. Something did happen.

"Karasu cornered me with some of his teammates." Kurama explained as he perched his elbows on his knees and leaned forward, hands clasped.

"What, what happened, are you ok?" I asked, my attention rapt now.

It was funny how easily Kurama could make my tune change, the desperation sitting inside me for any sort of acknowledgment from him was becoming too hard to bear. I was always so worried about him, anticipating his emotions much like I did with everyone around me in my previous life. When everything falls out from beneath you, I guess you really do fall back on old habits.

"I'm fine," Kurama said through a huff of bitter laughter, "it's more that he had a lot to say."

"Yeah, he has a bad habit of that doesn't he." I said as I let out a small, equally bitter, smile.

I wanted to jump out of my skin, already feeling the icky creepy crawlies at the mention of his name. I hadn't really spoken to anyone about it since that day, and Kurama hadn't made mention of it, nor him, either thankfully. It felt wrong to hear him dancing around it as if he hadn't held me throughout the night in his own brand of desperation afterwards.

"He brought you up, made mention of...certain things." Kurama said carefully, keeping his words diplomatic.

It made me want to scream so suddenly I let out a small hitch in my breath that Kurama no doubt noticed. I hated that I couldn't even say it, but I hated it even more that Kurama couldn't either.

"About what he did to me, you mean." I said, feeling less bothered about it than Kurama looked when the words left my mouth.

"Yes." He said simply, still staring straight ahead.

His lips were pressed in a thin line, his jaw set tightly as he kept staring forward. It bothered me that he couldn't even look at me as he mentioned the worst moment in my life that I could remember. It made the sensation of pity sit heavily between us and I began to wish so desperately I could reach out and shake him to acknowledge it, to acknowledge me. To...care. I knew it bothered him, but the why left my mind to wander and my mind was anything but kind in its wanderings.

"And that prompted you to check on me?" I asked, not quite following where he was going with this.

"Not exactly, but that's part of it. I," Kurama took a steadying breath as if knowing I was going to argue his next words. "I don't think it's a good idea you go to the finals with everyone. I think it'd be better if you stayed in the hotel with Erika."

The floor dropped out from beneath me and I felt the sheet of ice that had begun to gather on my back slide down. My gut began to burn and my eyes furrowed as the anger began to set in. The only thing I could pick out from a crowd of loud emotions was anger and outrage, so I held on tightly and pulled them close to my chest.

"Like hell I will!" I shouted shooting up to my feet. "No way in hell am I going to sit here waiting to see if we die. You got attacked by some fucked up ghost people at one of your matches! No way!"

"Ana, please, he's trying to use the people I care about to shake me, and as I am now I don't have the power to face him. I saw him fight today, Ana." Kurama said, his eyes boring into mine.

My heart leapt at his words, wanting so desperately for them to be true. I wanted to cling to those words and wrap themselves around myself as a warm loving cocoon. But I couldn't, the instant feelings of euphoria at an admittance I'd have swooned at in fanfiction were dampened by my sheer rage at him keeping me at arms length once again.

"Then even more reason for me to be there! If you die I-" I all but shouted back at Kurama before he interrupted me.

"Die, yes yes we've been over this, but you're not listening. If I know you're there, that he could use you against me, I'm not going to be thinking rationally." Kurama said, raising his voice at the end of his tirade.

That startled me into silence and we just took a moment to just stare at one another. Neither one of us were going to back down and as the seconds ticked on I wondered what Kurama was thinking. Not being able to feel him felt more and more like an intentional sleight after how open Youko had been with me. I began to feel resentment at the entire conversation, feeling as if he was using my own emotions against me to get me to comply, using what happened against me so I would shut up and listen for once. If I were in a more emotionally balanced state, I would have realised how little logic that sentiment had, but I was lost in a sea of confusing feelings so I clutched the only one I could make sense of. The feeling of conviction drowning everything else out around it, including that little voice in your head telling you not to do something because there could be consequences.

"I get it, Kurama, I do. But not everything is about you. For once, why don't you realise I exist too, that I'm here and no amount of wishing me to disappear will make that happen." I said with finality as I took off towards the door and left the room.

Liar I couldn't help but think to myself as I felt his burning gaze on my back despite the door clicking shut, locking his gaze safely away. The stinging in my eyes grew worse, and by the time I reached the elevator I realised I was crying. Everything had finally boiled over and began spilling out and there was nothing I could do but let it happen, just like everything else in my life. Later on I might have noticed how much I was projecting, but I was too embroiled in my emotions to notice.

~Break~

By the time I returned to the room only Erika was there. She was sitting on the same couch Kurama and I had previously argued on and I felt my throat tighten as I swallowed. She looked up from her journal with a smile and a small wave. Taking a seat next to her I took a moment to smooth out the invisible wrinkles on my dress. All the anger I once held had simmered into a deep shame and burgeoning embarrassment.

"What's up?" She asked as she gave me her full attention.

"Ahh, that obvious?" I asked as I attempted to return her smile but it came out as a grimace. "Kurama and I fought."

"Seems like you two do that often." Erika stated easily.

"Heh, yeah we do. He doesn't want me to go to the finals." I explained as I clasped my hands in my lap.

"I can see why he would want that." Erika said thoughtfully as she rested her chin in the palm of her hand, her elbow balancing on the journal sitting shut on her knee.

"Well I can't, he's been attacked once and needed you to save him." I attempted to explain, my voice raising in volume.

"Oh I understand all that, it's just I don't think Kurama has a logical reason to ask you not to go, same way I think your reason for wanting to go is a lot more emotional than you think." Erika said with the same serene smile on her face.

"What are you talking about?" I scoffed.

"Well, I think you want to be there because you worry about and care for him. I think you want to be there to support him more than you worry about the evil geists attacking him again. He's already outmatched by Karasu; all they would have to do is wait for him to kill Kurama." Erika explained as if it were blatantly obvious.

"Huh." Was my eloquent response as I was left there blinking.

"Look, I'm not saying Kurama has a right to ban you from going, but I am saying that I think his reason for not wanting you there is because he's actually worried about you. Something has him off his game lately." Erika said with a small nod.

"Karasu..." I muttered to myself.

"What?" Erika blinked as her gaze snapped up to me.

"Karasu threatened him, I think, as well as made mentions of...what...happened." I explained, unable to say the words, 'what Karasu did to me.'

"Yeah, that would do it." Erika said, nodding some more.

Our conversation was interrupted as the door opened and the rest of the girls filled into the room chatting to one another. Botan stopped when she saw me and Erika sitting on the couch and quickly moved to sit next to me.

"Now, what's going on here?" Botan asked with her Cheshire smile.

"Nothing, just talking, what's up?" I asked as everyone else went to take their own seats.

"Not much, we went for a walk and ran into Genkai." Botan said with a shrug.

"Yeah, she was acting weird, mentioning strange things about Yusuke and me." Keiko said with a nod.

"Weird? Try accurate." Botan said, turning her smile towards Keiko now.

"URAMESHI!" We heard someone shout as heavy footfalls went past our door.

"What the hell was that?" Shizuru asked as she got up and opened the door.

"URAME-Oh, hey sis." Kuwabara said as he came to a stop before our door.

"Yeah, hey. Why are you running around screaming?" Shizuru asked with a rather annoyed expression on his face.

"Urameshi took off looking for Genkai as soon as he woke up, I'm trying to find him." Kuwabara explained as he pointed towards his room as if it were obvious.

With that all of my previous thoughts and emotions evaporated as everyone began to grow worried at Yusuke's absence. A tickling in the back of my head left me feeling as if I were missing something.

~Break~

"Urameshi! Come on, this isn't funny!" Kuwabara shouted as he paced back and forth in front of the hotel. "Man, I bet this is a plan by all four of those jerk-faces to have a secret meeting and leave me out of it. Probably learnin' some cool new attack or somthin'."

"That's a bad sign. He's mumbling and walking backwards." Shizuru sighed.

"That's the bad sign? Not him shouting and running around a hotel filled with demons that want all of us dead?" I asked with a deadpan.

"For Kazume that's pretty normal, but the walking backwards? That's a surefire way to know something is up." Shizuru explained to me as Kuwabara continued to yell.

"Come on Kazuma, I'm sure they didn't play any tricks on you." Yukina attempted to soothe.

"Ahh Yukina, you're always on my side aren't you!" Kuwabara sighed as he grabbed both her hands.

"Come on casanova, stop flirting and start using that dumb brain of yours. Why would they be learning without you if Yusuke rushed off to find Genkai, who we just saw." Shizuru said with a roll of her eyes.

"Wait, you saw Genkai? Why didn't you say nuthin'?" Kuwabara said as he let go of Yukina's hands.

"Because you were too busy talking to yourself, idiot." Shizuru sighed as she pulled out her pack of cigarettes.

"Come on guys, no need to fret so quickly, perhaps Yusuke just left to get some exercise?" Botan suggested.

"Then why would he have rushed out looking for Genkai then?" Keiko pointed out to Botan.

"Oh, right. Well, I've got nothing then." Botan sighed out looking defeated.

"It feels urgent guys. First Genkai steps out then Yusuke wakes up, calls me an idiot and leaves too. I know I'm missin' somethin'! Even if it's not some sort of super secret training! Where did you see Genkai?" Kuwabara bellowed out as he glared at his older sister.

"She was out in the forest when we went for a walk but-" Shizuru began to answer, causing Kuwabara to shoot off towards the forest.

"Well, that was momentarily exciting." I sighed as we were left standing in front of the hotel awkwardly.

"Should we, you know, go after him?" Erika asked as she pointed in the direction Kuwabara went.

"Nah, one walk is more than enough for me." Shizuru shrugged as she headed back into the hotel.

Everyone began to file back into the hotel but I lingered, unable to shake the feeling something was off.

"Hey, you ok?" Erika asked as she placed a hand on my shoulder.

"Yeah, I just can't help but feel like I'm missing something, something important..." I said as I turned to follow everyone into the hotel.

The feeling of forgetting something remained and continued to itch at the back of my neck as we made our way back to our room.

~Break~

"I always thought your school's uniforms were so cute." Keiko said as she sat nestled with Erika and I on one of the couches.

"Bleh, I can't stand the colour." I waved off with a wrinkle in my nose.

"I heard a lot of girls at my school like it because the skirt is shorter than ours, I'm not sure I feel comfortable with a skirt that short. But the colour, that's what I really loved." Keiko confessed with a small blush.

"Hmm I wouldn't say it's that short, although the way some of the girls roll up the hem you wouldn't think so." I said with a smile.

All of a sudden Botan let out a gasp causing us all to turn and look at her. She was standing with her hands pressed against the glass looking out at something only she could see.

"You okay over there, Botan?" Keiko asked as she turned at Botan's gasp.

"Uh..." Botan uttered as she blinked slowly, still staring out into the window.

"Hey, Botan, you ok? You're really starting to freak us out here..." I said as I leaned over the back of the couch.

"It's like she's in her own world..." Keiko said.

"She's...gone." Botan whispered, barely audible.

"Wait, who's gone?" I asked as I made my way over to her.

"Genkai..." She whispered back, her voice clipped at the end so I barely heard her.

~Break~

Botan had quickly rushed towards the bathroom after her silent admission to me. Everyone else was stunned as she hastily excused herself, not sure what had gotten into her. As I neared the bathroom door I heard the tap turn on in the bathroom and got up, excusing myself to go check on Botan. As the bathroom door clicked shut I turned around to find Botan hunched over the sink with tears streaming down her face. Walking over I placed a hand on her back and began to rub. Her sobs grew harder and I pulled her into my arms before she collapsed to the tile floor. Lowering us to the floor I curled around Botan allowing her to cry into my shoulder.

"It's okay, cry all you need." I said in a whispered hushed voice, my hands moving rhythmically along her back in soothing motions.

~Break~

Everyone seemed to be floating through the rest of the day and by the evening I realised I hadn't had much to eat all day, feeling a hollow hole deep in my gut instead. Deciding on a breather, I excused myself from the room ignoring Erika's questioning gaze as I went. I needed a moment to be by myself and just...breathe. Everything was too much and it wasn't about to stop anytime soon. The worst part was, I knew that we wouldn't have much time to breathe before the next emergency hit once the tournament was over. I couldn't remember exactly what, but call it a gut feeling.

Stepping out of the hotel doors I felt the cool ocean air hit my face and I kept on walking. It was late enough that there weren't many people, or demons, around. But still early enough to not feel insecure about being outside alone. I knew Yusuke was still out training, actually scratch that, all the boys were. Their hotel room window was still dark as I turned to look up at it.

"Penny for your thoughts?" I heard Kurama's smooth voice from behind me.

Jumping slightly I turned to look at him, still wearing the same yellow fighting attire. His hair was blowing in the breeze and he looked so suddenly calm, as if nothing had happened at all. It felt surreal, like I was watching our interaction from behind a pane of glass. The word dissociation echoed through my mind as the definition flitted across my mind. I was numb to my previous emotions, the entire evening weighing heavily on me drowning everything else out around it. I wasn't good with death, I never was. I had resolved once to grow a thicker skin around it, I was after all trying to become a doctor. Not that I ever had the chance to try I suppose.

"Hey." I said, not sure what to say after everything that had happened.

Our fight felt so long ago, with all that had taken place since then. Hearing about Genkai's death and witnessing Botan's breakdown was still raw in my mind. Clearing my throat I turned to fully give him my attention with a small smile to ease the tension. An olive branch within a sea of intense emotions as it were, and as Kurama returned my smile I knew it had been accepted.

"I wanted to ask you for a favour." Kurama stated, not beating around the bush.

"What do you need?" I asked without hesitation, wincing at how quickly I had answered.

If he was asking me for help it must be important. Embarrassment aside, anger aside, everything else aside we were still in the midst of a demon tournament where we could all die. But I wasn't sure what he could possibly want me to do, other than not going to the tournament finals, which wasn't a discussion I was willing to have right now.

"I received something that might help me in the finals, I just need someone there to help keep track of time for me." Kurama quickly explained as if reading my thoughts.

"Time? What for?" I asked, beyond confused now.

If he didn't want to dissuade me from going, what did he want? I was left waffling once more, feeling a soft warmth spreading between us. It wasn't much but it was the most at peace we had been around one another in days. He was being gentle with me, I could tell by his slow movements and soft tone. If this wasn't another ploy to keep me away then I was more than a little interested at what it was he wanted.

"Think of it as a parting gift from our last match. I was given a potion that could help me use my original strength as Youko, but the results are only temporary and I only have so much to use during the tournament, as well as to test with. Before any match I'll need to know how long it takes to go into effect as well as how long it lasts." Kurama said, turning to look just above my head, his eyes never quite reaching mine.

"Uh, yeah sure. I don't mind keeping track of time. Did you want to do it now, or?" I asked with a small blink.

I really didn't want to do it now if I was beyond honest, but I had already agreed to help so if he wanted help now, I would do it. I couldn't help but look towards the hotel with a small feeling of guilt wriggling around in my gut at leaving Botan alone after everything that had happened. She was still keeping Genkai's death to herself and I wasn't sure if Kurama even knew yet, so it wasn't like I could tell him why now was a bad time.

"No, I need to do some other tests to ensure it's safe first. I'll most likely need your help tomorrow." Kurama said with a nod.

"Going to head back in?" I asked as I caught Kurama looking towards his darkened hotel room.

"No, I think it's best I use whatever time I have to train. Plus, I already started some tests that I need to get back to. Stay safe." Kurama said with a nod as he turned back around.

"Well, goodluck with your training then." I said through a strained smile, my teeth pressing against my lips in a way that was no doubt turning into a grimace.

Kurama turned around with a small nod and strode back into the wooded area surrounding the hotel. I was once again left alone with my thoughts as a breeze caught me at just the right angle and went right through me.

"Why do I have such a bad feeling about this?" I whispered into the breeze as my question was left unanswered.

~Break~

Kurama came for me early the next day to time his 'test'. He had come to the room sometime around noon to collect me. As I slipped on my shoes I took a moment to readjust my lilac sweater to fully cover the jeans I had borrowed from Botan, and grabbed my coat. Some of the tension had eased with a good night's sleep, but I still felt a little awkward.

"Got your phone?" Was all Kurama said as I pulled it out to show him.

"Yup, lead the way." I said as I closed the hotel door behind me.

I mused to myself why Kurama had needed me to track time for him, other than it was easier. But as I took a moment to think about it I realised the answer was obvious. He most likely left his own phone at home to avoid any and all distractions. Guilt attempted to claw at my gut but I pushed it down. I was tired of being passive and constantly sorry. Nothing about what was happening was fair to me either so it was about time he started dealing with the mess with me instead of without. Stepping into the elevator, Kurama leaned across me to hit the lobby button. The scent of roses invaded my senses and I wrinkled my nose at the feeling it always seemed to invoke in me. Catching my half grimace with a squished up nose, Kurama gave me a tight smile.

"Did you sleep well?" He asked just to be polite.

"Mhmm, you?" I answered despite it being a lie.

I had slept rather horribly, but I didn't really want to talk about it to be honest so I faked a smile and lied through my teeth. My dreams were filled with visions of Karasu, Kurama, and what my untimely death could look like.

"I did as well." He answered as he turned to face the doors of the elevator.

As if on cue, the elevator dinged and sprung open. I stepped out, trailing after Kurama as he glided towards the doors in a way I knew no human could. The sun peeked through the windows hitting his hair and cascading his head in a umber halo. It really wasn't fair how no matter what was happening, or where we were, he always looked criminally good. He held the door open for me before taking the lead and manoeuvring us towards the forested area Kuwabara had rushed into only a day before. It felt like so long ago now, the fact that we had lost a member of our team. While I didn't really know Genkai, or had really spoken to her at all, I still had fond memories of her from my past life. She was always a kind and good force driving the whole group. It was a loss everyone couldn't help but feel because she didn't deserve what happened.

Weaving through the trees with memorised ease, I ducked out of the way of a branch as the foliage grew thicker and thicker. Narrowly avoiding tripping on a root I stopped and gave Kurama's back an annoyed glower. We better be close or I was going to lose it considering the asshole could control plants and make this a hell of a lot easier for me. As I squeezed past several shrubs and another tree, I found Kurama standing in a small clearing. I wondered briefly if he had found it, or made it, considering how dense everything was around here. Kurama pulled a large bottle out and placed it on a stump that was suspiciously just there.

"Mkays, so now what?" I asked as Kurama motioned for me to step forward.

"Now I need you to time how long it takes for me to transform after drinking the potion, and then again to see how long I stay transformed." Kurama explained as he played with the cap on the bottle.

"Ok, sure. You're not going to be all...demony...are you?" I asked, feeling a nervousness crawl up my neck.

Kurama I knew, but I hadn't ever met Youko before and he wasn't shown a whole lot in the show or manga to boot. This was a whole new territory and no one could actually tell me how much of his human self he even retained, I assumed they were the same. An amalgamation of new experiences and old behaviours. But I wasn't sure.

"It's still me, you don't have anything to worry about." Kurama said, taking my concern seriously.

I looked up into his emerald eyes and searched for...something. This wasn't the first time I felt scared of Kurama and it wouldn't be the last, but I needed some kind of reassurance from the one driving force I always trusted here. Even if it didn't run that deep for Kurama, it did for me. He placed his hands on my shoulders and smoothed them down so he could hold my biceps and pull me slightly closer. I was reminded by my uncertainty of the first time we had met. Here I was afraid something bad would happen while Kurama loomed over me. But, everything was so startlingly different now, we were no longer strangers.

"I would never let anything happen to you. I may seem different, but it's still me. Okay?" He asked, searching my eyes seriously.

"Okay, let's do this." I said as I took a deep breath and stepped out of his arms.

Whenever he touched me I felt overwhelmed. Taken over by warmth and a desperation for it to continue and everytime deep shame followed it as my brain rebelled. He was like snow on the beach in July, not impossible but the chances of me ever experiencing it, it might as well be. At least, with the beaches from where I'm from. Kurama's expression twisted as I backed away from his touch. His arms lowered slowly as if unsure causing me to clear my throat and tug my phone out of my coat pocket.

"I'll open the timer, just let me know when." I said with a tight lipped smile.

Kurama took a moment to just look at me, before he reached down and unscrewed the top. Raising it to his lips he slowly tilted his head back and drank just a little bit. Pulling the bottle away he quickly screwed the cap back on and placed it back onto the stump. For a few moments we just stared at one another in complete silence before I quickly hit go on my timer.

"Alright, timer is going. I'll make a second one once you transform. Do you, uhh, feel any different?" I asked as I glanced at him worriedly.

"No, I should be fine. If it's anything like the Idunn box it shouldn't feel much like anything until it settles." Kurama said with a soft smile.

"Huh, you'd think drinking it would make it more immediate, that box transformed you almost instantly." I said with a grin.

"Well Suzuka did say the potion could be unpredictable." Kurama said as he continued to watch me.

"Well, I hope the transformation feels less weird this time, last time was...freaky." I said as I wiggled my fingers at Kurama.

"Well I'm hoping I took enough to go that far back and not end up as a toddler." Kurama said, the corners of his mouth turning up.

"Wait, that could actually happen?" I asked, feeling a sudden panic.

"No." Kurama said as his shoulders shook with silent laughter.

"Jerk..." I muttered as I looked back at my phone to see how long it had been.

The time ticked past 2 minutes and 34 seconds. I started tapping against the side of my phone case while we waited. I guess if we were stuck waiting until he transformed, now was as good a time as any to try to get to know him better. Even if our meeting was hardly anything normal or natural, getting to know him could be. It was an olive branch and a small consolation prize for myself. A soothing balm for my pride and growing feelings.

"Time?" Kurama asked.

"Mm, almost 3 minutes. Hmm...do you have a favourite movie?" I asked, seeming to catch him off guard.

"No, not really. I must admit I haven't had much time to enjoy all the benefits of the human world. I've seen movies, but I don't think I could pick a favourite." Kurama answered without missing a beat.

"That's a shame, we should have been having movie nights this whole time to search for your favourite." I mused, faux grieving a lost opportunity.

"What makes you think I'd agree?" He asked with a mischievous grin.

"Your mother loves me, it wouldn't be all that hard." I waved him off as I checked the time again.

4 minutes and 22 seconds. Damn I had expected something to happen already. It had happened a lot faster the last time he transformed, unpredictable was an understatement, what if it didn't stay consistent each time he transformed? What if it took longer during his fight with Karasu? I suppose that's why I was here and we were testing.

"What's your favourite movie?" Kurama asked, surprising me.

"Oh, uh, well I don't know if I have a favourite movie either, but I have a favourite genre. Shitty B and C horror flicks. Something about how ridiculous all the plots can be just entraps me." I said with a fond memory of my past life.

"Why doesn't that surprise me." Kurama said with a grin.

"What's your favourite colour?" I asked not missing a beat this time.

"What's with all the questions?" Kurama replied looking amused rather than annoyed.

"Come on, you know mine." I whined as I gave him pleading puppy eyes.

"Yellow." He answered easily, his grin widening as he caught my little show of begging.

"Huh, wow, I don't know why but I thought you'd say something like green or-" I began to say.

"Red?" Kurama finished for me, his grin morphing into a smirk.

"Something like that..." I waved off feeling suddenly very embarrassed. "Why yellow?" I continued to press.

"Why purple?" He shot back.

"Touche." I said as I looked back down at the phone.

"Time?" He asked on cue.

"6 minutes and 2 seconds" I answered on demand.

"Any other burning question?" Kurama asked, giving me an opening to continue my questioning game.

"Hmm, let me see, what do I want to know the most about the great and mighty Kurama?" I mused, pulling my phone in the bend of my elbow so I could hold my chin in a mock thinking stance. "So many options, but limited time. Well, how do you like your coffee?"

"Somehow that question surprises me even less. I am partial to tea but if I'm having coffee I like it with two creams and one sugar." Kurama answered with another silent chuckle that shook his shoulders.

"So I really am the only one who likes my coffee super sweet." I said with a mock frown.

"Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but you're the only person I know who loves a cup of sugar with a bit of coffee." Kurama said as his smile grew bigger.

"Hey, I always have cream in there somewhere." I gasped with mock offence, my hand moving to cover my chest.

"Just barely. Time?" Kurama asked.

"Uhh, let's see here...7 minutes and 51 seconds." I answered as a thin chill swept up the length of my spine and disappeared as suddenly as it came.

Looking up I saw a plume of smoke and an echoing of purple energy. The wind began to sweep up and whip my hair around before settling. My only indication anything had changed was the deeper voice I barely recognized as Youko.

"Did you hit stop?" He asked as the smoke began to fall away from him.

"Uhh..." I answered dumbly before looking down at my phone and hitting stop. "Yup."

The phone flashed 8 minutes at me and I winced, making a mental note to change it to 7 minutes and 51 seconds, a time I figured I'd not soon be forgetting. Hitting start on the second timer I finally took a moment to look at him. I could see his ears twitching first, moving back and forth as he seemed to orient himself. Next was his swishing tail, that was flicking every so often as if adjusting to existing. Finally, I saw his face and inhaled a sharp breath, finding that his eyes were boring into mine. His smile grew and I could feel the same buzzing from before as he pulled on the cord. His angled jaw was more pronounced this close up and I could see how he almost glowed with how pale his complexion was compared to his human form. I could see the rippling power rolling off him like waves as he basked in his full demon form. A hue of purple seemed to emanate before dispersing causing a distortion against the midday sun. He looked...otherworldly, untouchable.

"It's nice to officially meet you as I am." Youko smiled as he tilted his head towards me.

Dear god he was bigger than Kurama was. I think he might even be taller than Kuwabara. He was looming over me and dear god I think he was enjoying it. I took a steadying breath and tilted my head so I was looking up at him through my lashes. Somehow it made him less intimidating, but it hardly made him any less attractive. If you thought Kurama was beautiful you'd throw out the whole dictionary once you saw Youko. He was gorgeous and keenly aware of it, if his seeming movements to catch the best light were anything to go by. I wondered where Kurama hid this part of himself, or if he'd lost it somewhere along the way. He moved closer now, his tail swishing against my leg as he invaded my space. I felt the dizzying heat as his head leaned so close that I could see the beautiful gold of his irises despite hunching myself over.

"Did you remember to start timing again?" He asked as his tail hit my leg a little harder this time.

"Oh! Uh, yeah." I answered lamely as I quickly checked to make sure I had hit start on a new timer.

"You sure?" He asked, moving even closer.

"Yeah, yup, I'm sure." I said before clearing my throat.

He thankfully withdrew from my personal space and I let out the breath I wasn't aware I had been holding. Taking a step back anyways, to keep some sort of controlled distance, I held my phone in a tight grip. Staring at the numbers flicking across the screen I tried to ignore Youko as he seemed to be playing a tune with the link between us. Glancing up I found him almost preening as he noticed my attention, his grin growing. His ears twitched towards me as he let out a long hum.

"Now what are you thinking so hard about, hmm?" He asked as I felt the energy between us twist in a way I never knew was possible.

He was almost playing with our link, using it to lightly brush his energy up against mine. I let out a shiver as I took another step back as if that would stop whatever he was doing. Despite my physical action being futile the feeling stopped as he tilted his head in what almost looked like concern. He took a step forward and I felt a rush of air as the heavy scent of roses hit me. I wasn't sure what had made me so flighty, but I had just barely gotten used to Kurama, and now he was more...Kurama-ey.

"Uhh, nothing." I managed to say, instantly wincing at how my voice almost cracked.

He didn't say anything for a beat so I looked up and found that he had stepped away again with a small frown. My eyes were instantly drawn to his ears as they seemed to droop at his thoughts, before perking up slightly. Looking back down I found he was watching me now, his frown turned into a look of keen interest. I swallowed hard as I attempted to not once again bolt from the spot.

"Do you want to touch me?" He asked, the deep baritone of his voice vibrating in the air.

"What?" I managed to squeak out as I felt heat rising to my face.

"My ears, you keep looking at them." He said as he began to chuckle, knowing exactly where my mind had wandered.

His laughter warmed me, as did the feeling he was having. I got to feel it, his enjoyment of actually talking to me. With a small smile I stepped forward with a nod, not quite trusting my voice to behave anymore. Youko knelt down with a gentleness I hadn't expected and tilted his head towards me. I hesitantly reached out and as the pads of my fingers hit his ear it twitched, causing me to instantly withdraw. This seemed to draw Youko's attention. He reached up and grabbed my hand and pulled it to sit on the top of his head. As his hand withdrew I felt his claws graze my skin and I couldn't help the shiver that echoed through my body. Seeming happy that I was touching him now, Youko dropped his hand and pressed his head into the palm of mine. I couldn't help but snort at the almost neediness as the tension started to drain from my shoulders. His hair was soft, his ears even softer. I began to thread my fingers through his hair as I traced the curve of his ear. It twitched in response but Youko still didn't move, allowing me to do as I wished. My other hand joined the first and I found myself fond of the tips, right where the softest hair gathered.

"You're like a big...cat." I said without thinking.

My hand vibrated as I heard his velvety chuckle. I moved to pinch one of his ears lightly between my fingers as I felt him move. Finding him looking up at me now I averted my eyes feeling suddenly very embarrassed about what I said and was doing.

"Only to you." He finally said with a soft smile.

Withdrawing my hands I cleared my throat attempting to push down the blush that had no doubt taken over my face. He seemed to follow me as I withdrew, keeping the same distance as before. His smile had turned into a smirk. Quickly checking the time I noticed it had only been a few minutes. It somehow felt longer. I felt Youko grow even closer and couldn't help but take a deep breath of him in. He seemed pleased by it, if the pleasant hum I felt through our link was any indication. I let out a small smile and caught his eyes.

"See, not so scary am I?" He asked, despite knowing the answer.

"Never for long." I admitted with a nod.

"Good, do you have any more pointless questions then?" He asked with an arched brow that reminded me warmly of Kurama.

"I'm not sure I could think of one to be honest. I'm not really sure what to say actually." I admitted sheepishly, causing him to chuckle.

"Finally, I've left you speechless. Not the way I'd have preferred it but." He said with an air of flirtation.

"Uh, what?" I spluttered out, causing his grin to widen.

"Oh please don't tell me you don't know. I know he, well I've become quite the coward but." Youko said as he moved his face closer to mine.

Feeling the overwhelming nature of his presence my spine went rigid and I took a step back. He started to chuckle again, slowly rising with a shake of his head.

"I have no idea what you're talking about." I rushed out in one breath.

"Oh? Shall I tell you then? How I've thought about silencing you by taking your lips in mine, how I long to press my body against yours like you tempted me to not long ago. How I want to hear you sing my name. Need more?" He said as if it were such a simple fact.

He wasn't even touching me, hadn't even taken a step forward and I was already high off him, his voice bringing me up to the heavens and leaving me strung. I couldn't help the hitch in my breath which seemed to only embolden him.

"How I secretly love how you say my actual name, not my human one. How I wish he, or I had done something sooner, felt your skin against mine and torture you the same way your sinful thoughts and feelings leak through to taunt us. So close and yet." He said as he started to take several steps forward.

He stepped forward and I stepped backward as if we were in some sick tango. One step forward, one step back.

"Nothing to stop us now, is there?" He said in that sinful way that shot to my core.

"That's not true." I responded, unable to think of anything else to say.

"Hmm I know I've lied to you a lot, but you can't actually believe that. Should I tell you all the things little Shuichi keeps locked away as if it'll make it go away?" He smiled as he took another step forward.

"I'm not sure you'll feel the same way once this wears off." I said as I swallowed deep, attempting to shove my feelings down inside my innards as I took another step backwards.

"My little doe, we both know that I may act differently, but how I feel remains. He's just too much of a coward to do anything about it. But me on the other hand?" Youko smiled as I felt my back hit the sharp bark of a tree.

He stepped closer until we were almost toe to toe, bending towards me he smirked catching sight of my renewed blush. His hand reached out and traced my cheek, before dropping and finding purchase on the tree behind me. I could feel the rippling heat of him surrounding us as the scent of roses became overwhelming. I was already drunk off him from that one touch, my thoughts lost in the wind scattering like birds.

"Do you want to know?" He asked, tempting me to the core.

"What?" I all but whispered, feeling his grin now against my cheek from how close he had crowded around me.

His nose traced the side of my face as I felt his lips against my ear before his hot breath hit it. I couldn't help how I let out a little gasp, feeling his chest rumble in silent laughter.

"Shall I show you instead?" He asked, his breath fanning against me and causing my eyes to momentarily shut.

I was lost in the feeling of him, of the unsung promises that went whispered between and in the lines. I could feel him moving but I was disoriented, filled with his very presence and unable to tell which way was up. Unable to trust my voice, I nodded against a smile. I felt his hands move towards my sides, barely skimming as that smile withdrew.

"Are you still timing?" He asked as I nodded against his cheek. "Good girl."

His voice oozed something and I let out a small keen, unable to help myself. Something about the way he said it did something primal to me. He let out a sort of low growl in response to my noise, pressing into me as his lips took mine. I think I short-circuited at some point or just plain passed out but the next thing I knew, he was nipping at my bottom lip as he helped hiked my legs up around his hips. Pressing me against the tree I was sandwiched against his body with my hands in his hair. My nails scraped against his scalp and I felt him shiver. The tips of my fingers were brushing the base of his ears as I desperately clung to him like a lifeline. It felt as if he had crawled inside me as I felt a hot spike through our link causing me to moan.

"Such a shame he always locks you out, feeling you is..." He trailed off as he captured my lips again. "Intoxicating."

My thought 'it went both ways?' was lost as I felt him pouring into me through our link. He pulled my hips closer, hitting me just right causing me to let out a noise that would have embarrassed me if he hadn't already pulled me so deep. His teeth occasionally pulled against my dry lips in a way that reminded me that he could just as easily break me in more than one way. The thought thrilled me and I felt myself cling to him tighter to which he only returned.

"Mmm, you like that don't you," He asked against my lips as he pressed against my core once again. "Let me take care of you little doe."

I let out another loud noise, the haze around me starting to dissipate as I opened my eyes to look at him. His nose nudged mine as his lips delved into mine once more. He had pinned me against the tree allowing one of his hands to wander. I felt his fingers ghost under my breasts, before trailing along my stomach and towards the front of my pants. I shuddered against his lips as he undid the button and slid down the zipper.

"I've barely even done anything yet." He said through a mess of tongue and teeth. "Mmm he pretends not to know what this scent you give off means, but I won't."

His hand trailed down the top of my pubic bone, before I felt him hit my curls. His mouth breathed new life into me as his other hand hilted my hips to meet his fingers. Moaning into his mouth he slanted his lips against mine as if to hear my noises that much clearer. His fingers slid across my lips before spreading them and running his fingers along the inside of my labia. Humming into my mouth I heard a deep moan as my fingers pulled desperately at his hair. I was drunk on him, lost amongst the cosmos he had created the moment I fell into his life. My nails caught his flesh as his thumb and the knuckle of his index finger put pressure on opposite sides of my clit and started moving in small circles. My hips pressed into his hands as I felt my teeth gnash against his.

"Mmm, just like that, good girl." He breathed the words against my lips getting the desired reaction as I pulled him into a messy fighting kiss.

His tempo began to pick up as I pressed into him, the kissing turning from primal into something deeper. Lost along the way his kiss became just a bit softer, his touch just a bit deeper. His movements on my clit became slower and that drunk feeling returned, my head lost spinning in a sea of ambrosia he was giving me. As if steadier his lips moved against mine as I felt his tongue bridge the gap. Moving to meet him I opened my mouth with a loud moan as he caught my clit just right. He moved faster at this causing my breaths to come out in short staccatos as our dance hit its crescendo. As if finding the downbeat in a popular song, he played my body like a virtuoso. My skin burned and itched to touch his as I sucked in another greedy breath before devouring his own.

I could feel my own crescendo building as I let out a desperate cry into the mouth breathing new life into me. At its peak I realised why the French called it the little death. The universe he had built around us shattered as I arched into his burning touch. He followed my motions as a well rehearsed dance, swallowing my moans and soothing the burning feeling through the link as I felt his own desire crashing with mine. Still, his mouth never moved from mine as his hand withdrew, tracing my side as his kisses trailed to my jaw. As if soothing me through the aftershocks his lifegiving touch returned as his lips fell over mine once more. Softer this time, an echo this time of what had just happened. My legs fell from his hips as I became lost in only the feeling of his lips. It felt more desperate than before, as if he wasn't ready for this to end. Somewhere in my foggy thoughts I thought about my phone, and the timer. But everything was lost which his hands cupped my cheeks as if to breathe me in now. No longer was I drinking in him, it felt as if he were trying to find meaning in the air that passed between us.

The link was still open with startling clarity and I was left completely levelled by the feeling that washed over me as the kiss grew slower and deeper. My fingers were now tangled in the base of his hair where they had fallen during my climax. I kneaded at the flesh there just allowing him to drink me in. My eyes fluttered and for a moment I saw red before he pressed deeper into me. Losing my breath, my hands fell from his nape as he angled my neck back to deepen the kiss. No less desperate and no less slow. And then, suddenly his lips pulled from mine trailing into heady nips. This time I allowed myself to open my eyes to find that Youko was no longer before me. Kurama was the one holding me tight in a frozen grip, his forehead resting against mine.

"Kurama?" I asked, breaking whatever spell that had happened.

Kurama took a step back from me as he let out a heavy breath. Threading his fingers through his hair he brushed it back with a sigh. My stomach tightened when I realised what the look in his eyes meant when he finally looked at me again. His lips were still swollen from what had happened and I was still heavily distracted by his previous actions. Breathing heavily we stared at one another like wild beasts. I wasn't sure if he was going to bolt or attack me, and I wasn't sure if I was going to take off myself. We were stuck in a stalemate just staring at one another. Waiting for one of us to break it. I was bathed in the icy silence as I watched his own chest heave along with mine.

"I'm sorry." Kurama finally said, his eyes never quite leaving my lips.

"Excuse me? You kiss me and you're sorry?" I asked, incredulous that those were the first two words he had given me post that.

"It wasn't appropriate of me I mean, I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable." Kurama said, still avoiding my eyes.

"Uncomfortable? Seriously Kurama, maybe if we weren't already one orgasm deep that might have been believable." I stated bluntly, still riding off the high of whatever was going on.

As soon as I said that Kurama snapped straight and I felt the link shut with a crashing door. The breath was suddenly knocked from me as I pointedly looked at him in the eye as I lost my footing for a moment.

"That wasn't supposed to happen." Kurama said, unable to call it a mistake, which I keenly noticed.

"What the hell are you going on about?" I almost shrieked as my wild eyes stared him down hard.

"I can't afford to have any attachments, especially now." Kurama said in a tight voice.

"Attachments? You were ready to die for your mother, you're friends with Kuwara and Yusuke, that's a weak fucking excuse if I ever heard one." I hissed as my veins turned to ice.

Kurama didn't say anything, just kept giving me that sad little stare as he took another step away from me. I was gripped suddenly by my rage, pent up from more than just him, and my eyes narrowed. Feeling bitter and scorned I warmed myself with the broiling anger that I let lash out. I asked the one burning question I swore I would never ask Kurama.

"If I wasn't bound to you, would you have erased my memory too?" I asked with steady precision.

"Yes, without question." Kurama answered glibly as his lips turned into an almost hateful slant.

"You're such a fucking liar, Kurama. I have no idea how long you were transformed so you can finish your tests alone," I spat as I bent down to retrieve my phone. "Know what your problem is? The closer I get, the more I know you, the more you push me away. But it's too late this time Kurama because now I know and you're shitty at lying about it."

Looking back at him I raised the phone in my hand and tossed it at his chest before turning away. I walked as fast as I could, getting lost more than once in my seething anger on my way back to the hotel. My emotions and thoughts were a mess and so were my hormones. The only thing I knew for sure was that Kurama somewhere deep down had wanted to do that, and now that I knew that my mind was lost with the possibilities that he might be just as attached to me as I am to him. Yet, I couldn't help but come away feeling bitter and empty, but like I had the upper hand for once between us.

~Break~ (Future)

"Not a word to the boys, I mean it. I can and will kill you." I said deathly serious as I filled Erika, Botan, and Keiko in on the more illicit details of what had happened during my first meeting with Youko.

"Nope, not going to say a thing." Botan said, positively giddy and salivating.

"Sploosh." Erika said as she had a crude hand motion.

"Eww, dated and gross." I said making a face.

"I see what you mean about Youko being less cold now, positively steaming hot!" Botan pipped in before giggling at her own joke.

"Don't worry, we won't say anything." Keiko said as she sat there blushing an unbelievable shade of red.

"Whatever, the boys are going to be back from their snack run soon, so get your nasty questions out now." I muttered with an eyeroll.

"Oh oh!" Botan said as her hand shot up into the air.

"From anyone other than Botan." I amended, causing her to pout.

~Break~ (Past)

The next day I found myself cornered by Botan and Erika. Not really questioning my sour mood, I was ushered into our shared room to start training. Despite the small space, I assumed they had some sort of plan to train me here. Botan sat down on the edge of the bed as she patted the middle. Giving a small sigh I climbed onto the bed and sat down in the middle. Giving Botan an annoyed side-eye, Erika sat down on my other side.

"Since the boys are training I figured we could too!" Botan chirped.

"And I am guessing you two have some sort of idea how my powers work so we can train them then?" I asked as I turned towards Erika.

"Yup! I know a little bit about Geists and Botan knows a bunch about spirits, so we put our heads together and came up with an idea." Erika nodded in affirmation.

"I didn't bring my memento though. I didn't really think about it. I left it on my bedside table." I said with a sigh.

"That's where I come in," Erika said as she sidled up next to me and held out a necklace. "This was yours from your other life. It was a necklace from your grandmother I think."

I held my hand out and took the thin chain from Erika's palm. Dangling the necklace before my eyes I took notice of the perfectly carved fire opal in the shape of a rose. I gave Erika a confused look as I unclasped the chain and allowed Botan to help me put it on. I searched Erika's eyes as I ruminated on what to say.

"I don't know what to say." I said, wincing at my words.

"That's ok. I just know you two were close, closer than you were with your mother anyway. Since you died, it should work as a memento of your own." Erika said as she lifted the opal rose in her hand and softly smiled.

"Thank you." I said before I grasped her hand in mine and gave it a small squeeze.

"Anytime." Erika simply said before she let go of my hand.

"We figured you could use that to help magnify your power while you're getting used to it. We are going to focus on your perception powers for now since we know roughly what those are and how those work." Botan said as she turned to face me.

"So what is it you want me to do?" I asked as Botan and Erika exchanged cheeky expressions.

"Hide something from us in plain sight, then if that gets too easy make Erika look like me!" Botan exclaimed with excitement.

"Can I actually do that? So far I've only really...made things and people invisible." I said with a blink.

"You'll never know if you don't try." Botan explained with a sage nod.

For the next few days I practised making things invisible, and once that got too easy I attempted to make Erika look like Botan. After the tenth attempt resulted in a child-like rendition of a Botan-look-alike-Erika, we moved to having me make random items disappear from view on command to perfect that ability. But, as Botan expressed adamantly, if I was able to make a poor look-alike I was surely able to make a perfect one. By the final day before the finals I could make anything, or anyone, invisible with a flick of my thoughts. It was quicker than before and didn't exert as much effort as it used to. Progress was progress and I was feeling more secure in myself than I had in a long while.

~Break~

Standing outside as the finals were just about to start was not how I pictured today going. In fact, out of all of my bingo card guesses, I never had been stuck outside unable to see my impending fate on it. I really should have, considering how fickle fate was as of late. Somewhere along the way Botan had forgotten our tickets, leading us to this fine moment of everyone loitering outside with a bunch of angry demons all intent on seeing the finals. None of us had cash, in fact I wasn't even wearing my own pants. Shizuru had caught sight of my shivering dress-clad form and dragged me back into the hotel to loan me a pair of her grey high-waisted pants and a pale mint-green button up shirt. I was wearing my boots to keep myself warm as well as my jacket, which I was immensely thankful for as we were left hunched against the outer hallway of the arena to avoid the wind. While it wasn't particularly harsh, it was crisp and biting enough to seep through thin clothes.

"Come on, buddy, Can't you make one small exception?" one of the demons asked the doorman pathetically in another attempt to get in. "I'll even give you the money I planned on buying my ticket with! You can't beat that! Have a heart, I've been here since last night!"

"Yeah, well I've been waiting here for two nights!" Another chimed in.

"Aww, lighten up, dude. We won't tell if you won't." A third tried to persuade the doorman.

"How many times do I have to tell you jerks! You best back up or I'll take your heads off!" The doorman roared as he swung his club. "If you ain't got no ticket, you ain't got no seat! There's no ifs, ands, or buts about it, got me?"

"Oh, it sounds like it's impossible for us to get in." Yukina said sadly.

"I'm sorry girls, I was so preoccupied when I spoke with Koenma that I totally forgot to ask him about tickets." Botan said with a bashful expression, looking down at her fidgeting hands. "I'm afraid we won't be able to watch the finals."

"Well, you know what they say. Desperate times call for desperate measures." Shizuru said as she cracked her knuckles.

"You're not gonna charge the bouncer again are you?" Keiko asked nervously, holding Puu tight to her chest.

"Unless you have another bright idea." Shizuru asked as she crossed her arms.

"No..." Keiko answered, sounding crestfallen.

"Attack is really our only option." Yukina agreed with a thoughtful expression.

"Why, Yukina! You're just full of surprises!" Botan giggled.

"Stop encouraging her." I huffed, swatting at Botan playfully.

"Hmm..." Shizuru murmured in thought as she caught sight of something behind us.

We all turned around to find a green-skinned scaly demon with a tail and curly black hair approaching us. He was wearing both a sleazy brown suit and expression. He noticed Shizuru eying him intently as he gave our gaze the side-eye.

"Uhh! I know you!" Botan blinked as she pointed towards the demon who had stepped before us. "You're that sleazy scalper who tried to con Koenma into buying those fourth-rate tickets!"

"Hahahaha!" The demon began to laugh. "How nice of you to remember me, I'm touched. I don't mean to be presumptuous, but I couldn't help noticing you foxy ladies are in need of a hand, eh?"

"Well we sure as hell don't need one of yours." Shizuru spat back with a glare.

"Oh, I see, my mistake. Well..." The demon started to say as he pulled six tickets out of his coat. "Then I guess you won't mind if I sold these elsewhere?"

"Um, are those what I think they are?" Keiko asked as she took a step forward.

"You bet they are, sweet-stuff, and they happen to be six of the best seats in the house. Ahahaha" He laughed as he began to sneer at us. "And for you, I might be willing to part with these for about five thousand clams apiece."

Shizuru swiped them from his slimy paws and sneered back at the demon. I let out a puff of laughter as Erika clapped and chanted 'thievery thievery!'

"Geez, I'm such an idiot. Can you believe that the tickets were in my hand this entire time?" Shizuru asked as she turned to Botan, Erika, and I.

"Hey! You'd better give those back!" The demon ordered, causing Shizuru to hide the tickets behind her back.

"I guess I could be wrong," Shizuru began to say as she waved the tickets towards Yukina. "But these look an awful lot like our tickets, don't they?"

"Yup." Erika stated as she popped the 'p'.

"Botan?" Shizuru asked as she turned back to her.

"Uh, yes, yes those are definitely our tickets, our tickets definitely!" Botan agreed as she clapped her hands together.

Yukina grabbed the tickets and moved from sight. I stepped forward next to Shizuru to block Yukina's movement.

"Alright, girls, that's very funny, but the joke's over. Just give me back my tickets, okay?" The demon began to beg.

"But our names are on them, they must be ours." Shizuru pressed as she placed her hands on her hips. .

"What do you mean?!" The demon seethed.

"Look!" Shizuru said as she held up her ticket, and sure enough in pink pen her name was on it.

Yukina passed Erika and me our tickets with a thumbs up. I looked towards Botan who was holding a pink marker with one hand and giving me a thumbs up with the other.

"Here." Yukina smiled, presenting hers.

"See?" Keiko asked, holding her own up.

"You must be mistaken." I grinned as Erika stuck her tongue out at the demon.

"Told ya so!" Botan sang as she held her own ticket in her mouth, her hands occupied by a pink marker and its cap.

"Thanks for holding 'em for us though." Shizuru gloated.

"Sorry buddy, but you gotta admit their names are on the tickets-and common property laws-would say that ownership..." A demon began to monologue.

"You see, we really didn't need your help after all." Shizuru smiled as we began to walk towards the entrance.

"Thank you so much for our tickets." Yukina said with a bow.

"Sorry for the misunderstanding." Keiko tacked on.

"Hope you learned it won't pay to take advantage of people." Botan said with a smile.

"Isn't that exactly what we did though?" I asked with a grin.

"Shh, just move it." Shizuru whispered as she pushed me forward.

We rushed ahead flashing out tickets at the bouncer and the first thing we were met with was the screaming of the crowd. Which was odd, considering the match should have started already but no one was in the ring.

"Both teams need to find another player soon. Because if you don't I'll be forced to disqualify you and forfeit this match, and that's not good!" Juri declared as she stamped her foot from inside the ring.

"Heh, that's all you had to say," Toguro said as he slid his sunglasses up his nose. "Our reserve team member is always ready to join us when required."

The large looming doors behind Team Toguro began to open, kicking up dust as it went. Out stepped the same man from the restaurant Botan had taken me to all those months ago. My mouth hung open as I turned towards Botan, then back at the man dressed in what I could only assume was a black Armani suit. Botan held my gaze for a moment, before she awkwardly cleared her throat and looked away. All of what happened was...connected? I felt momentarily hurt at Botan not telling me, but had to remind myself that she was keeping my secret from her boss so I shouldn't feel so unreasonable towards her. She still had a job to do after all.

"What's going on, why is everyone just standing around?" Keiko asked from beside me.

"I suppose we'll know soon enough." Botan said as we moved to take our seats, her gaze still avoiding mine.

"Does anyone know who that strange man at the gate is?" Yukina asked.

Shizuru let out a gasp, catching Botan and I off guard. I was caught off guard for the second time in less than a minute. Looking between Botan and Shizuru I realised Botan didn't know why Shizuru was reacting the way she was either. But one thing was certain, Shizuru recognized him the same as us.

"No, I don't really know who he could be, he's very good-looking..." Keiko said as she leaned forward to get a better look.

"Yes he is. Do you think he's someone important?" Yukina asked.

"Hey Shizuru, earth to Shizuru." Keiko said as she caught Shizuru spacing out.

"What? Hm?" She asked, turning to Keiko.

"Is something wrong?" Keiko asked.

"Mm-mm," Shizuru shook her head, "just a little dizzy."

"Hey big shot! Do you even know how to fight!" A demon snarled not far from us.

"Well...to be honest, I have no intention to participate in this match." The man with the scar said as he looked towards the audience. "Granted, my presence allows Toguro to continue, but all it means for me is a much better view. I'll stake my life on Yusuke's team being defeated before my turn arrives. Now let's begin."

"That's what I call putting your mouth where your money is!" Koto sang, cutting through the audience's complaints.

"Toguro is prepared!" Juri announced as she swept a hand towards Team Urameshi. "Now present your fighter or the finals are over!"

Yusuke and Kuwabara looked like they were beginning to sweat before Kuwabara hastily whispered something at Yusuke. Yusuke started to twitch, his brown curving into a strangled look.

"Since Team Urameshi has failed miserably to produce a fifth player, Team Toguro will be named the winners by default!" Juri said as she raised her hand above her head.

"Hold it, missy! Patience is a virtue." a high-pitched voice echoed out as fanfare began to play.

Everyone turned towards the door behind Team Urameshi as the sound grew louder and the doors began to open. Smoke began to billow out covering everyone in a thick blanket. A young brown haired man wearing a blue outfit with a red cape. He had a Jr. on his forehead and a blue blinkie in his mouth. I blinked when I realised it was Koenma. The crowd began to chant his name, managing to sound even more indignant than before. He stepped out towards the rest of Team Urameshi, ignoring the jeering taunts and questioning looks. We finally found our seats sandwiched between throngs of massive demons.

"So this is what he meant when he told me he had business to attend to." Botan said from beside me.

"Way to go Koenma, sir! You knock 'em dead!" A blue ogre shouted a few aisles down from us.

The poor dear began to cry and shrink back into his brown trench coat.

"What the fuck?" I mouthed towards Erika as she shrugged.

"This is the proudest moment of my life!" He blubbered.

The boys seemed to be conversing with Koenma as he turned around to show off a green jetpack hidden under his red cape. It was completely ridiculous and for a moment I forgot my own fear of Koenma discovering my spirit secret. His age was showing with his own excitement towards showing off his accessory. It wasn't that he was acting childish per say, it was more that through the cracks of a serious leader of sorts he was still incredibly young despite his age compared to his human counterparts. While he appeared to be the same age as everyone else and was significantly older in years, for the spirit world and his family he was still quite young, and his excitement showed that for a mere moment.

"Seriously, what the fuck?" I asked, audibly this time.

"I think we're in deep trouble, that's what!" Kuwabara bellowed, answering whatever was silently said.

"Okay...forget what I said." The trench-coat wearing orge said as he tried to slink away in embarrassment.

"Wait a second! You can't just switch!" Juri said, halting Yusuke from entering the ring. "The rules say that a new player may only be brought in if an original fighter is dead."

It was like a gut punch as I caught Botan's wince. Erika rubbed my back in soothing circles as I realised no one else knew about Genkai yet. I had been so immersed in my own shit I hadn't even been able to talk to any of them properly. Other than those who already knew. No one had really mentioned it and at this point it was clear Botan hadn't told anyone, nor had any intention too. My heart reached out to the poor girl who was needlessly burdening herself for reasons unknown.

"Well, about that." Yusuke began to say, his own discomfort clear.

"It doesn't matter." The man with the scar said snidely.

"Uh?" Juri asked as she turned towards Team Toguro, waiting for some sort of call.

"Their team will never get to the fifth match, so it won't be necessary for junior to fight," Karasu said as he closed his eyes in thought. "We all know he's just here to take up space."

"Anytime, mask boy!" Koenma said, getting caught up in Karasu's taunt.

"What's wrong with you?!" Kuwabara admonished, and rightfully so.

"Alright! There's finally a full roster, so get ready to feast your eyes on the Dark Tournament's bloodiest massacre yet!" Koto screamed as the audience roared around her in agreement. "Ladies and gentlemen, it's taken us seven long days to get here. Welcome to the finals!"

The buzzer cut off any of my thoughts and I could feel the heat begin to pool in the back of my neck. Seven days huh? It seemed longer somehow. Karasu stepped up into the ring during my musings, not even waiting for any decisions to be made on his team's end. My eyes darted to Kurama instantly and I was floored with worry. This was it huh? At least it would be over with first, I wasn't sure if I was pleased by that or not. It didn't help that whatever note Kurama and I had left on was still sour on my mind. He still had my phone and I wasn't even sure if he finished his trials or not. But, I couldn't deny there was a small part of me that was pleased I would be able to see and feel Youko again.

"Bang." Karasu said as he placed his hand against his temple and pantomimed shooting.

I could feel the ice shooting through my veins at the action, moments of when I was left alone with him cascading through my mind. Taking a steadying breath I took note of one thing I could see, Erika's colourful hair. One thing I could smell, the scent of stale smoke from the shirt I borrowed from Shizuru. And one thing I could hear, all the demons screaming around me. Taking a deep breath I counted to ten to give myself a moment. Eyes slipping shut I counted slowly with my breath. Then, I opened my eyes to see everything just as it was before my eyes were closed. No more haunting gaze of Karasu eyeing me up with disgust.

"Awe, look at him tryin' to scare us with his dumb finger." Kuwabara said as he slammed his fist into his hand. "Man, I'm gonna beat him until his mother doesn't recognize him!"

"No," Kurama said, startling everyone as he started to walk towards the ring. "I will handle him."

Kurama's expression was deathly serious and filled with hatred, so much so I was taken aback by the rage I was seeing. He was normally so calm and collected and for him to take the fight so quickly meant only one thing. He must have taken the potion in anticipation of exactly this. So now it was merely a waiting game. Hopefully by the time the match starts he'd be transformed, if not I wasn't sure how long Kurama could play a game of cat and mouse with that monster.

"It has been decided. We will begin the final with a match between Team Toguro's Karasu!" Juri said as she pointed towards Karasu. "And from Team Urameshi's side...Kurama!"

Just hearing Juri say the words made it feel more real. I focused on keeping myself together so nothing would leak through and distract Kurama. Despite what an asshole he had been, he was right about needing his wits about him for this. The realisation that he blocked me out because he was affected by my constant flitting emotions was something I wasn't sure how to deal with. Or really, what to think about it. It was something I wasn't ready to touch yet, much like most of what had happened during this god forsaken tournament.

"Ladies and gentlemen, with no further ado, the first match begins!" Juri declared to a snarling crowd.

"Folks, I guess you could say this tournament has been one heck of a roller coaster. And finally...finally we can get to the most awesome loop-de-loop part of the ride!" Koto cheered as Kurama and Karasu continued to approach the ring. "From the sound of things, it seems like everyone in the stadium is a big fan of the tall, dark, and gruesome Karasu."

"What'd you just say?" Keiko shouted, having had enough of her comments.

"Yeah, Karasu is a fucking creep, he's the furthest thing from beautiful, inside and out!" I shouted, backing Keiko up.

"You couldn't pay me to root for that vampire wannabe weirdo!" Keiko thundered on.

"And the crow aesthetic is so tired, we get it they flock in murders, get a new schtick!" Erika shouted across us all.

Shizuru sat beside us looking like a proud mama. She had another cigarette in her hand which she took a drag of with a grin. Clearly about to take the piss, she cast us a sidelong glance. A puff of smoke circling around her head making her appear more impish.

"I don't know, he does have some beautiful hair." Shizuru cheerily said. Her widening grin the punchline.

"Compared to Kurama, fuck no." I retorted, not realising how loud I was actually being.

The blue ogre had slowly inched his way towards us ever since his outburst until he was seated next to Botan, holding a large spiked metal club. He fidgeted with it before he gave a small smile and wave towards Botan. Okay, so the weird ogre knew Botan, try not to freak out and ask a million questions. Did they work together? Probably since Botan had admitted the only people she knew outside of Spirit World work were us.

"Don't forget your stretches, Koenma sir!" He shouted, completely oblivious to anything we were saying until he noticed the rest of us staring at him. "This was supposed to be Koenma's. Guess I'll just use it to scare people. Kurama! Kurama!"

"Go Kurama! You can do it!" We all began to cheer against the cacophony of death threats.

"Damn it, if they start a riot in the stands, I'm not gonna be the one that saves them." Yusuke muttered as he glowered up at us.

"Hey, Kurama, wait!" Kuwabara said, ignoring Yusuke as he took off for his friend.

I couldn't hear what Kuwabara said next as he began to whisper to Kurama. I still didn't know how long Kurama would be transformed for, but I did know it would take 7 minutes and 51 seconds. Which was more than enough time for Karasu to kill Kurama, and by proxy, me.

"If I could have everyone's attention, I'll explain the rules of the match." Juri began to say before she was interrupted by someone in the audience.

"Come on! Let's see some blood!" They shouted.

"We already know the rules! Come on!" Another agreed.

"You don't look so hot. Are you okay?" Keiko asked, catching my attention.

I looked over and noticed she was talking to Botan who was sitting there in silence and not me. She did look rather ill and was worrying her bottom lip something fierce.

"Oh, I'm feeling great!" She said once Keiko had caught her sombre expression. "In fact so great that all I wanna do is smile! You know, there should be a law against feeling this great!"

Botan had her cheshire grin on, but I could tell it was forced. Her fingers pointed towards her cheeks in effect but it just made the whole thing more awkward.

"Oh. Well that's good to hear," Keiko said as she looked away. "I'm sad Genkai isn't feeling better, though. I think Yusuke gets a lot of support from her."

"She's right, things have seemed off concerning Genkai ever since the end of the semi-finals." Shizuru said as she balanced her cigarette between her lips.

"Eh, haha, well, uh, she did say she was getting older and everyone knows that the elderly need their rest!" Botan waved off as she stood up.

"Hey! Where are you going now? The fight's starting?" Keiko asked in confusion.

"Ah hahahaha, just need some fresh air, that's all." Botan said as she raced up the steps.

"That girl, she's been acting like a basket case for days. I hope she's okay." Keiko sighed as she watched Botan go.

I looked away feeling guilt gnaw at my gut, but it wasn't my news to tell. I didn't really know Genkai, not like the rest of them did. Shizuru got up and went to follow after her, giving me a wink as she went.

"Don't worry kid, you watch out for Kurama, I'll check on Botan." She said before she disappeared up the steps.

"I hope Botan is okay." Keiko sighed as she turned back to watch the match.

They were only gone for a few minutes, and by the time they returned Botan seemed to have a real smile on her face this time since Genkai's death. Kurama and Karasu were now standing across from one another in the ring and I was unable to tear my eyes away. The first match of the finals was finally about to begin.

"Both players take your opening pose, and begin!" Juri declared with a flourish.

Kurama raised his arm and waited as Karasu stared him down.

"You're either extremely brave, or extremely foolish," Karasu said as he tilted his head. "It's rare for anyone who has seen my capabilities to go through with fighting me. I'm curious as to why you would subject yourself to this. Could it be something personal?"

"Don't flatter yourself, Karasu. I'm here to defeat you and by the way...I advise you not to underestimate me." Kurama said with a glare.

"Hmm." Karasu said thoughtfully as he raised his hand.

Green energy began to bubble in Karasu's hand causing roses to materialise from within Kurama's raised hand. They rose up from above him before swirling around in a beautiful tornado that was no doubt more dangerous than it looked.

"Oh wow...Kurama is surrounded by a huge whirlwind of rose petals, Karasu must stink!" Koto said as she leaned over to get a better look.

"Fuka Enbu-jin[5]!" Kurama said as the roses followed his arm movements and started to cascade in a whirlwind.

"Karasu obviously doesn't feel cause for concern," Koto started to say as Karasu stalked towards Kurama. "As he walks directly into that massive cloud of rose petals!"

Karasu continued to walk forward until he was cut on the cheek by one of the rose petals. Stopping he glanced at it in barely contained glee.

"It's incredible; each of the petals is as sharp as a razor blade. How utterly charming." He hummed as the cut instantly healed.

He continued to walk forward, unconcerned with the shower of actual razors. Kurama continued to stand his ground, watching Karasu closely. Neither seemed willing to budge, but I knew that Kurama was just biding his time and mitigating what damage he could in the meantime.

"I must say Kurama, they are absolutely beautiful, however they are also weak and lacking in substance," Karasu mocked as he continued to walk through the shroud petals. "Traits they must've inherited from you."

Karasu continued to stride forward and just as he was about to hit the apex of the petal storm, he crouched low, moving his arms across his body before standing again. That same green energy began bubbling across his body. Kurama was looking concerned now and I bit down on my lip. Several of the petals began bursting into successive explosions. He had turned Kurama's attack into a minefield.

"Be careful Kurama!" Yusuke shouted as the stadium strobed in the light of the explosions.

One by one, Kurama's defence was turning into ash, if he was lucky. I wasn't sure what Kurama was so concerned about, until I realised Karasu hadn't touched the petals to make them explode. Unable to stop myself from gasping, I watched helplessly as Karasu began to chuckle.

"Well, well, well, perhaps it was I who was underestimated by you," Karasu said whimsically as he bathed in the burning ash. "My hands are not the sole source of my power, they are merely vessels. Poor Kurama, it seems you've entirely misunderstood me."

Shivers went up my spine and I felt my fists clench against the fabric of the pants I had borrowed. Kurama was still frozen where he stood, explosions echoing around him every so often. It was getting harder and harder to focus on staying calm. Karasu's slithering voice was hard to forget and now that excited sick tone was turned towards Kurama. It was hard to keep my feelings of anger and disgust down.

"You aren't able to see my power so you feel secure. But it's everywhere, even in the air you breathe. You can't escape it, it's all around you, inside of you," Karasu said as he raised his hands, his voice growing more sickeningly sweet. "Why don't you make things easier and submit, like Ana did."

Before Kurama could respond to what Karasu had said, he disappeared from view causing Kurama to gasp. I saw him momentarily in the air, before he disappeared again from my human sight. The next I caught sight of him, Kurama was dodging an incoming punch and several swipes for his head. It had never really bothered me before, the limitations of my human body, but now I hated not being able to see what was going to happen. By the looks of it, I may feel what is happening before I ever see it.

"What an attack! It's just the way I like it, confidence with a hint of malice!" Koto cheered as my stomach shrank.

Kurama managed to keep dodging, but just barely. The thought of how much further Karasu's ability could go never left, which made every near miss that more threatening. Charging at Kurama this time, Karasu disappeared once more. Kurama though, clearly able to see what I could not, jumped into the air and brandished his favourite weapon.

"Rose Whip!" He shouted as a long thorned whip appeared in his hand.

He slashed at Karasu, using his long reach weapon in an attempt to keep Karasu away. But Karasu had different plans, his energy glowing around his hand once more. The midsection of Kurama's whip exploded and began to singe, half of it falling uselessly to the ring.

"You know you can't stop me, but you continue to try all the same, that's what's so appealing about you. It's a shame that circumstances couldn't have been different for us," Karasu said before taking off after Kurama again, this time pulling out his red claws and taking swipes at him. "But it doesn't really matter. Even things that seem ideal always turn sour. I'm just speeding up the process! Besides! I've found that there's no greater rush than taking the life of someone you care for. The intimacy that murderer and victim share is unparalleled. Witnessing their spirit separate itself from their body. That's why I couldn't let Ana die, no, she isn't deserving of such a relationship with me."

I wasn't enjoying how often I was being brought up, but Kurama seemed to be fighting on like he wasn't affected at the very least. Karasu continued to swipe at him in a sick game of cat and mouse, speeding up as he went. Each narrow miss grew narrower. I wasn't sure how long it had been yet and cursed myself for leaving my phone with Kurama. It could have been mere minutes, or closer to the time Kurama would transform, but I had no way of knowing now. The time of 7 minutes and 51 seconds laughed heartily at me in my head. Karasu disappeared again, leaving Kurama looking around a second too late as a shadow fell over him. Dodging in the knick of time, Karasu's claws smashed into the ring gouging out a decent mark. Kurama landed a few feet away, but an explosion on his left arm caught him off guard. He flinched as flesh and blood flew out from the explosion leaving me feeling sick. Karasu had finally gotten bored and made contact, he had clearly been playing around with him up until now.

"Heh, like I said, it isn't necessary for me to touch you, it's just one of the perks." Karasu said as the scent of blood in the air started to excite him.

"You okay?!" Yusuke asked from the side lines.

"Darn it!" Kuwabara exclaimed as he looked just about ready to jump into the ring. "What's the deal? Why doesn't he change? If that clown gave him bad juice, I'll make him regret the day he was born!"

Oh Kuwabara, if only that were true. I unfortunately knew how well it worked. Perhaps it worked a little too well with how very Youko he had become.

"Listen to yourself." Yusuke chastised as he shot Kuwabara a glare.

"This is so boring, if I were in the VIP room, I could at least have a drink." Mr. Scarface complained.

"Karasu does like to hear himself talk," Toguro agreed with a slight nod of his head. "But things are about to get better."

Karasu began to laugh as he raised his hand above his head. Ignoring the pain, Kurama held the wound closed with his working hand, and began to retreat once more to buy himself time. Karasu landed with a smile and another explosion was set off, this time on Kurama's right leg. He buckled onto the ring, blood rushing down his leg and staining his white pants. Kurama was beginning to strain, but his walls were still in place. That was about the only reason I wasn't freaking out yet.

"Perhaps I should explain how my power works. It's similar to yours in that we both manipulate things with our energy, but with one distinct difference," Karasu said as he stood before Kurama and raised one of his hands. "You can only control things that already exist, like your plants, but I manifest my thoughts into tangible things. For example, the object I'm holding in my hand. Although you can't see it, it is still very real and very deadly. But honestly? I don't think words can do it justice, it's just one of those things you have to feel for yourself. After all, like they say, actions speak louder than words. Now make sure that you pay very close attention, Kurama. I wouldn't want you to miss a single beat."

Whatever was in Karasu's hand began pulsing until a blinding electrifying light cascaded across the ring. The same boiling energy from before sprung forth from his hand until it solidified into a bomb made of warped purple TNT decorated with skulls. Jumping high into the air, Karasu spun until Kurama was below him.

"Deleterious Bomb!" Karasu shouted as he flung the bomb down towards Kurama.

A massive explosion overtook the ring, cascading the stadium with smoke and dust. Juri was flung from the ring by the sheer force of it as Team Urameshi braced against the wave of power exploding from Karasu's attack.

"Where is he?" Yusuke shouted into the wind.

Karasu jumped above the smoke, looking around for something. That's when I felt a cold shiver run down my spine and the connection opened with the force of a door being flung wide open.

"What a great explosion! Karasu has just pelted Kurama with several sticks of dynamite! But tragically, I'm not able to see the damage!" Koto announced over the roar of the explosion.

"He got him..." Keiko said sadly.

Erika placed her hand on my arm and gave me a small smile. I wasn't sure what to think, but I couldn't really respond to Keiko as I gave an experimental tug on the link when I hadn't felt much of anything at all.

"Anyone see?!" Yusuke shouted again.

The link gave a reassuring tug back and the breath I was holding was let out. No one else seemed to notice when Karasu looked down at his hand, raising it up to inspect the rose that had been embedded in it.

"Very amusing." He said, not at all sounding all that amused.

Karasu pulled the rose out of his flesh before crushing it into dust in the palm of his hand. The building torrent of energy that always assisted the transformation began to pick up around the stadium as I could see the leftover crackle of electric purple energy. The stadium was stunned into silence as everyone caught up to what had just happened. Juri whimpered as she pulled herself back into the ring and crawled towards the pulsating energy. The energy began to crackle around the stadium causing me to jump as the figure of Youko began to take shape behind the curtain of smoke.

"I've seen all this before!" Koto gasped as her ears twitched from side to side. "This battle is in for a heart-stopping facelift!"

Youko was still bleeding from the same injuries Kurama had, but he didn't seem bothered. Blood was dripping from his mouth as he only grinned, his ears twitching from side to side. He was deathly still and the look on his face shocked me. It was one I did recognize, and I realised just how nice he was being when I had first met him. Until everything boiled over and exploded, ugh, bad choice of words.

"Well it's no surprise I was right!" Koto shouted as she hopped onto her desk to get a better look. "It's the foxy Youko Kurama!"

"All right! This is gonna be sweet!" Kuwabara cheered as he pumped his fist into the air.

"You're telling me that's Kurama?" Yusuke asked as he took a step back.

"Basically, as you've heard, his full name is Youko Kurama, but he's known by several other titles, too." Koenma explained.

"I didn't know he had other names." I blinked.

"You must have forgotten then, cause we used to joke about what they could have been." Erika said with a cheery smile.

"You go King of Thieves! You're my man!" The ogre beside Botan cheered.

"That's at least one of them." Erika said with a grin.

"The Spirit Fox is back again!" One demon began to cheer.

"That's another." Erika said, counting off on her fingers.

"Well, he was always a Legendary Bandit in my generation." An old demon mused.

"Three." Erika preened.

The link, while open, was very still. Whatever Youko was feeling, he was muting it and focusing entirely on Karasu. It made me nervous to not have Youko playing with the link, or showing off right as he came out. It was clear that Youko still viewed Karasu as a threat.

"Creating a bomb from nothing takes talent," Kurama praised as he raised his bloodied hand to his mouth and slowly licked. "That calibur of power is a sign you belong to a superior class of demons. A class I consider to be fairly worthy. Worthy to fight, and worthy to die."

Blood was still falling down his face, but had staunched considerably. I should have been worried that Kurama always got so injured when he fought, but seeing how Youko just shook it off it made sense. Until recently Kurama hadn't needed to worry about injuries like this, they used to be more superficial it seemed.

"You flatter me. But we're still not equals." Karasu said as he strung his hands together, manifesting more strange weapons.

Two floating eyeball creatures manifested and opened their wide cavernous mouths to yawn. Wait a minute, those weren't there a minute ago, could everyone else see them now that Youko had brought attention to it? Or was this something only I could see because of my connection to the once again powerful Youko Kurama.

"Rest assured Karasu. I wholly agree. Now I see. You create monsters that act as invisible bombs." Youko stated as he reached into his hair with an air of boredom.

Withdrawing two spirit powered roses, he flung them at the explosive beasts causing them to detonate before they reached him.

"How very clever. That's why I had such difficulty fighting you while I was trapped inside," Youko mused as he gave Karasu a sneer. "Lucky for me I found a way to break free from Shuichi Minamino just long enough to finish you."

"That's fascinating. Huh, but nothing more than a loser's excuse. You weren't able to beat me then, and you won't be able now," Karasu sneered as he manifested several more monsters. "But you're welcome to try!"

This time the creatures had a large eyeball but two large bat wings with an antenna sticking out of their head. Karasu pointed at Youko and the creatures took flight, charging towards him. Youko just smiled and dodged out of the way causing several to smash into one another and explode. The remaining flew aced after him as he danced around them with ease.

"Hahahaha, when you come from the Quest Class of demons you find that you can create all sorts of interesting things. These little jewels are what I like to call Trace-Eyes. Once these bombs set their sights on you they will follow you forever." Karasu explained as he watched his creations chase Youko around.

"Ever heard of Ojigi?" Youko asked with a grin as he dodged several more Trace-Eyes. "It's a rare plant found only on Earth's South America. The Ojigi is extremely sensitive to movement and when it senses any kind of vibration it will quickly close its leaves around the prey."

"I have no interest in gardening." Karasu said as he sent out more beasts.

The battlefield was filled with them now, multiplying faster than Youko could cause them to self-destruct. Still, nothing leaked through the link except the occasional brush, as if to make sure I was still there, still ok, and still watching his performance.

"My, my, it looks like you're surrounded. What's a boy to do?" Karasu asked in feigned boredom.

"I thought you'd know better than to corner an animal like a fox, Karasu. We have a tendency to show our teeth." Youko said as a torrent of blue energy began to spin around him like a tornado.

The ring around Youko began to split and shake as several large plants burst forth, slamming into most of the Trace-Eyes. The arena was once again bathed in smoke and dust, obscuring our view. People were screaming and others were shouting as the stadium quaked. Large red leaved plants and foliage with little sharp tooth mouths at the tips began to writhe out from the ring. The stalky vines of the plant were covered with thick sharp thorns. They loomed over the ring looking ominous and dangerous.

"An Ojigi plant is quite dangerous regularly. And it is several times more lethal and more sensitive when grown under Demon's energy," Youko explained as he shifted his eyes to look at Juri. "You, unless you want to be plant food, don't move."

"'Kay!" Juri said, raising her hand and ignoring Youko's warning entirely.

One of the plants drew near causing her to freeze up in that uncomfortable position. Several of the plant's larger leaves reared up and unfurled to showcase a larger mouth coated in spiky little teeth. It was drooling some sort of venom as the out leaves twitched as the vibrations around them.

"It looks like it's zeroed in on you. I guess all your trembling must've caught its attention." Youko said as the plants began to rush towards Karasu.

Karasu dodged the fist plant, and avoided the second with ease. The third smacked into the second as Karasu made a leap to the left over it. The vines crashed into the ring causing large gouges to be carved out in their wake.

"Um, okay. The table's 180'd and now Karasu's running around like a cockroach in the middle of a tap-dancing convention!" Koto shouted as she watched the fight unfold.

"How does it feel to be the one pursued this time? To be hunted and stalked like prey? You made a mistake going after her, just like you made a mistake going after me." Youko sneered as several more plants burst forth from the now crumbling ring.

The tone in Youko's voice caused me to shudder as I recognized it as a show of pure unfettered hatred for Karasu. Another brush of the link and I felt my heart hiccuping into my tight throat.

"Oh yeah, this one's in the bag." Koenma said as he crossed his arms.

"Who cares if he's a part of the whatever-you-call-it class! Youko still kicks his butt!" Kuwabara cheered.

"It's called the Quest Class," Hiei sneered with a small sigh, "I bet you don't remember your own name half the time."

"Get off me!" Kuwabara shouted at Hiei before he turned back to the ring. "Anyway, that Super Fox Kurama's gonna beat that idiot, I just know!"

"Haheheheh. That's what I call entertainment." Mr. Scar-Face cheered to himself.

"Hmm. You still want to watch from the VIP room with your friends?" Toguro sneered as he began to grin at the show unfolding before him.

The plants began to shoot out energy, chasing Karasu wherever he went. He made several bombs which only managed to make the plants more aggressive as fire overtook one of them. Karasu sent out another barrage of explosive bats towards Youko while the demon-eating plants were preoccupied with chasing him. Youko merely smirked before he was shrouded by his own demonic energy before he was swallowed up by several large explosions erupted throughout the ring and booming through the stadium. My heart stood still in my throat as our link let out a small vibration, almost akin to a purr. The smoke began to dissipate from where it had stirred up and obscured the ring during the ruckus. Standing tall and looming above the ring were several of Youko's large thorny plants with large cavernous mouths. They had intercepted the explosions leaving Youko standing there untouched and unbothered.

"The Ojigi is truly a gifted species of plant. It can sense the smallest amount of movement, even something as insignificant as a muscle spasm," Youko explained as his large hungry plants loomed above him, their mouths oozing acidic saliva. "So you see, it's useless to run, it would only make you easier to catch. We'll see how much you enjoy being prey."

Karasu's eyes widened as several plants sprung forth from where Youko stood, instinctively knowing exactly where he was. Youko's warning was clear and Karasu wasn't going to call a bluff. He began dodging away from the large carnivorous plants, not even bothering to fight back with his own explosives. Youko's plants left several large gaping gouges in the ring as they attempted to eat the horrible demon.

"Oh wow, folks! Things are really starting to heat up. It's dinner time and Karasu's the catch of the day!" Koto announced to the ring filled with demons with unbridled glee.

"This is it! He's plant food!" Kuwabara began to cheer.

"Kick his ass, Kurama!" Yusuko joined in.

"It must be hard for you to lose control, to not be the one causing the pain." Youko spoke with unrestrained hatred in his voice.

Several of Youko's plants burst forth from the ring, cutting off Karasu's escape. Taking a moment to look at Youko, Karasu quickly avoided several more attempts to be eaten. I was honestly surprised there was even a ring left to fight on at this point. Several more dodges, and twice as many more holes in the ring and Karasu continued to evade Youko's attacking plants. The longer this went on, the less time Kurama had as Youko, which was beginning to make me nervous. I never did find out how long he would stay transformed and 'for as long as it takes me to orgasm' wasn't a good frame of time, and that's assuming taking more of the potion wouldn't keep him transformed for longer. I never did end up helping Kurama with his tests, did I?

Karasu finally grew tired of playing the defensive and conjured himself a grenade he didn't need to pull the pin from, and lobbed it at several of Youko's plants. One of the plants opened its gaping mouth and exploded as the grenade made contact, leaving even more burned foliage left smouldering around the ring. In response the plants began to spit out large beams of what I could only assume were demonic energy mixed with acidic spit. They chased Karasu around leaving a melted and shredded arena in their wake. But Karasu wasn't perturbed, and he continued his assault, setting several more plants ablaze.

"The Ojigi also responds to aggression, so it will be all the more vicious once you attack." Youko explained with a vicious smile on his face as three of the Ojigi plants cornered Karasu, catching him off guard just as he landed. "You're going to have to come up with a smart way to kill it, or else...bang."

Youko pantomimed shooting himself in the head, much like how Karasu had taunted him earlier. A shiver ran up my spine at how cold Youko was as he spoke to Karasu, his voice filled with so much hate I didn't remember ever hearing in the show before. Well, from what I remembered from it in my rose-coloured-glasses youth years.

The plants raised Karasu high above the stadium before it wrapped him in its leaves and constricted like a snake causing Karasu to let out a painful howl. His mask popped off as his eyes bulged from his head and blood began to leak from his mouth and eyes. The rest of the plants dove in to continue killing Karasu as one dove after the fallen mask as it thudded against the ring. The stadium was shocked into silence as they watched the brutal display of the plants starting to eat Karasu. Everyone waited with bated breath to see if this would be the demon's end. Wrapping tightly in a balled cocoon the plants began to pulsate causing me to wince. Youko continued to watch on with narrowed eyes, not looking away for a second.

"Huh, I thought it was going to last much longer than that. I would have liked to have toyed with him a little before he died, to give him a taste of his own medicine." Youko mused with faux sadness.

Juri just continued to cower underneath the canopy of demon-eating plants, unable to narrate a thing that was happening.

"That was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. Kurama's plant just grabbed Karasu and juiced him like a fresh orange! I never would've thought botany could be so deliciously gruesome!" Koto cheered as she watched the display.

"Kurama sure showed that punk what was up!" Kuwabara cheered as he waved a fist. "And he closed the deal in a measly five minutes! Eat that, Toguro!"

Huh, has it really only been five minutes? It somehow felt longer.

"Yes! Two more wins and it's done." Yusuke cheered before the fight was even finished.

"Holy Toledo, I didn't know Kurama could do that. Remind me never to make that guy mad." Koenma said as he watched the scene with a shocked expression, his face turning back into his baby one.

"Oh Koenma, Sir! Koenma, sir, look up!" The ogre who had shimmied up to us began to shout.

"What?" Koenma shouted back in a child's voice.

"I'm sorry sir, but your face is leaking!" The ogre shouted back.

"Whaat?" I asked as I turned to give Erika a very confused look.

"Just..let it happen, it's fine, no biggie." Erika supplied with a shrug.

"Crap..." Koenma muttered as he pulled his hat over his head really quick, before pulling it off and his face was back to being...an adult?

"Yeah, not going to touch that one." I muttered to myself.

"I can't believe it, Kurama won." Keiko said with a soft smile.

"I wouldn't assume anything till it's called, Keiko." I said, my mind buzzing with anxiety.

This...didn't feel right.

"What do you mean? Kurama obviously won, look at him." Botan asked with wide eyes as she pointed towards the ring.

"Yeah, Kurama wiped the floor with Karasu. Don't get me wrong, I love my bro, but it was nice to see someone not totally embarrass themselves for once." Shizuru pipped in.

"It's just...you guys haven't seen what Karasu is capable of, I just don't believe he would go down this easily..." I explained as I began to worry my bottom lip.

"It'll be okay, Kurama is strong." Yukina added, giving me one of her award winning smiles.

The plants continued to writhe around Karasu and pulse uncomfortably. Youko continued to watch with a pleased expression as he watched his plants feast, before turning to walk away.

"Hey Juri, get the lead out! It's time to tell us who's won!" Koto shouted as she attempted to jolt the shell-shocked Juri into action.

"Oh, right!" Juri answered back as she scrambled to her feet. "Um, it looked like Karasu's been soundly defeated and the winner of the first match is Team Urameshi's Kurama! Whoa...hey...stay back..."

As Juri said this the plants began to sag and fall towards the arena, moving almost as if towards her. This caused Youko to stop walking away just as Karasu's pulsating energy began to spring forth from the plant in an explosion. Juri shrieked just as Youko turned fully around as the entire stadium was once more stunned into silence. Billows of black smoke bloomed from the explosion where Karasu stood very much alive.

"I wouldn't count me out just yet." Karasu complained, his voice filled with venom.

"Oh, I'm so, so sorry, that was entirely my fault. Everyone, forget what I just said! The fight will now continue, okay! This is insane..." Juri backpedalled quickly before she left the ring.

The fight now clearly continuing the stadium of demons erupted once more demanding bloodshed and dismemberment. Youko continued to stare Karasu down, looking unimpressed but equally vexed. Karasu merely smiled in response, his mask no longer obscuring his expression any longer.

"You look surprised, Youko. Did you think that was the last you'd see of me?" Karasu said as he continued to grin.

Karasu began to take a deep breath in, energy crackling around him as a wind began to kick up in the stadium. I saw Mr. Scar-Face take a step back as Toguro stepped in front of him. That couldn't mean anything good, could it? Karasu's hair began to slowly change colour, the black bleeding into an almost goldish blond.

"Brace yourself, people, Karasu's back and he's not too happy! His hair has also changed from jet-black to hyperglow blond!" Koto began to cheer as she watched Karasu's transformation with glee. "To follow the stereotype, that means he's popular and more aggressive!"

"Can someone fill me in here, what's going on with his hair?" Kuwabara asked.

"It's an explicit sign that he's internalising his power, which means the bombs he creates are now inside of him, virtually making him one giant explosive." Hiei explained without missing a beat.

"Are you serious?" Yusuke asked as he leaned down to look at Hiei.

"Of course I am. If my assumptions are correct, he's about to detonate," Hiei explained nonchalantly, "if you're wise you'll take cover now."

Youko took a couple small steps backwards as he watched Karasu do what we could only assume was turn himself into a giant bomb, as Hiei had surmised. This wasn't exactly good news of course. If Karasu was willing to make himself into a giant bomb, I could only assume that meant it wouldn't kill him. But, it probably would kill almost everyone here if it was big enough. Great, just fantastic. At this rate, I may end up dying from exploding instead of being killed and eaten by the demons around us if Team Urameshi loses.

Karasu began laughing as he placed his hands together and pointed them towards Youko. Pulling his hands apart, Karasu's laughter turned into a boisterous yell as energy began crackling between his palms. Thrusting them outwards towards Youko, large crackling green energy manifested so brightly the centre looked yellow. The energy began to overtake Karasu causing everyone to shield their eyes.

"I think you should know Karasu has no loyalties, he'll kill everyone in this stadium if he thinks it'll help." Toguro confirmed my suspicions as his wealthy benefactor stepped further behind him.

The energy was thrust high above the stadium causing an eerie green glow to cascade across the entire arena. In the centre of it a faint outline of Karasu could be seen as he continued to laugh harder and louder than before. Throwing himself at Youko the energy continued to surround his movements, plummeting towards the ring. I wasn't sure what happened as the next thing I knew a large piercing explosion echoed so loudly around us. The force knocked the wind out of me before the smoke began to burn at my lungs. I began to cough, my ears hearing nothing except a high pitched whine. I tried to open my eyes as the smoke began to clear, but it still stung. I could make out several bodies of demons scattered around a large gaping hole in the arena to our left. I had little time to let the carnage and horror linger as I quickly moved to try and get a good look at the stadium. I was still alive which meant so was Kurama, but that was all I knew. I saw Yusuke first as he pushed a large piece of debris off himself.

"Hey, is everyone alright?!" He shouted towards the rest of his team.

"That idiot almost killed me...I should have him arrested." Koenma grumbled as he attempted to dislodge himself from two pieces of stadium.

"You guys hear singing?" Kuwabara bellowed out louder than normal.

Hiei hopped down from where he had retreated from the force of the blast, landing without concern before Kuwabara.

"Where's Kurama?" Yusuke shouted as they all turned to the smoke covered arena.

As the smoke dissipated only Karasu remained in the ring. A large gouge had taken out most of the middle, the rest was covered with rubble I was desperately searching around for any sign of Youko. Karasu's laughter continued to echo around the ringing in my ears causing my blood pressure to spike.

"Now that's devastation," Koto announced as she poked her head over her table. "A significant portion of the ring has been completely wiped out, there are corpses everywhere, and Kurama's nowhere to be seen!"

Several pieces of rubble next to the ring began to shudder and move, before being pushed entirely away from a now incredibly battered Kurama. He was no longer Youko, and while his previous injuries had healed significantly since his transformation, Karasu didn't look the least bit harmed. I swallowed down my fear attempting to figure out what had happened. His transformation definitely should have lasted longer than five minutes. We had talked for at least five minutes prior to...that.

"Oh wow! That Kurama is like a nasty virus! You just can't get rid of him! However, it does look like this last explosion has taken its toll, because now he's back in his original human form!" Koto explained as she retook her seat.

"Ah, crap! The potion wore off. Now he's really gonna have to wing it!" Yusuke shouted from the side.

"I don't get it! He said that stuff's supposed to last fifteen minutes!" Kuwabara explained, surprising me that he knew and I did not. "That's it, the next time I see Suzuki, I'm moppin' the floor with his face!"

I was filled with dread as I watched Kurama struggle to rise from the rubble. It was clear someone did help Kurama with his tests when I had all but abandoned him. I should be thankful but all I could feel was bitter at how close Kurama and Kuwabara were, apparently. It shouldn't have surprised me, or stung, but I couldn't help but feel the childish emotion of jealousy start to bubble up. So it seemed as if it wasn't because I was human, or kind of human that he was so hesitant about being close to me. It all felt like everything led back to the link, that god-forsaken bond of ours. I was beginning to loathe it and what it implied about the state, present and future, of our entire relationship.

I still couldn't feel anything through the link, the door shutting slowly until it felt like a mere echo of before. At least that meant while he was drained he wasn't incredibly hurt, yet. His once crisp yellow outfit was now a soiled burned brown and orange from all the blood, dirt, and soot. Tears from the previous explosions were still evident on his clothing, but the skin beneath had indeed healed revealing unblemished skin stained red from where his previous wounds had closed. Kurama graped his left arm, clearly feeling some discomfort from where he hadn't been fully healed by Youko yet. Karas began to stalk forward towards the edge of the arena where Kurama had fallen under the rubble as Youko. The transformation should have lasted longer, what happened?

"Forgive me for disturbing your train of thought, but..." Karasu taunted as he spread his arms out wide. "Shouldn't you take this time to pray? After all, you are about to meet your creator. Ha ha ha ha ha! You can ask him why he flawed with you! Ahahahahaha!"

Kurama's gaze hardened as he reached up into his hair. The sounds of Juri's unease were the soundtrack of what played out next. No one in the audience dare say a thing lest miss what was about to happen. I myself was glued to every single one of Karasu and Kurama's movements. Fear gripped me and I couldn't think straight as the thundering of my heart drowned out almost everything else. A rose was deftly pulled out of his hair, held gingerly in his hand as Kurama readied himself to continue the fight. Gathering what energy he had left he attempted to conjure his rose whip, only to send the rose shattering at the impact of his uncontrolled slowly draining energy. I grew panicked, wondering why he hadn't reached through our link this time to take my energy like he had before. Was he unable too or was he refusing too? I wasn't sure I would ever get my answer.

"You're too weak Kurama, you can't even control the most basic of your attacks. Make this easier on both of us and give in. I promise it won't hurt too much." Karasu taunted as he stood on the edge of the ring, looking down at Kurama.

I could see the desperation in Kurama's eyes and wondered just how much effort it was taking him to stand, much less keep the block up. Was it his stubbornness? Hubris? Pride? I wasn't sure but it left a foul taste in my mouth all the same.

"Kurama!" Yusuke shouted in desperation.

"Wow, fight fans, the suspense is in the air here at the Dark Tournament. Because everybody knows that one more solid attack by Karasu means curtains for you-know-who!" Koto's announcement cut through the thundering my ears and I let out a wince.

"If you think about it, death really isn't so frightening. Just ask Ana who lingers on past her prime. Who knows, you might actually enjoy it." Karasu chidded, his tone growing low and sadistic at the end of his taunt.

I could feel everyone's eyes burning a hole in the back of my head at this point, since the truth of my previous death was public news at this point. But hearing someone make light of what I had only remembered a fraction of felt like being violated all over again. I could feel my skin crawling but I stamped down the feeling to scratch. I didn't want to draw any more attention to myself than Karasu already had. Somehow it felt like he was winning if I showed anyone how much his words were bothering me. I watched helplessly as Kurama threw his destroyed rose away and began to rush at Karasu. He leapt into the air, arching over where Karasu stood at the edge of the ring. Flipping several times he landed back in the ring right before Karasu. Racing towards him Kurama flanked left before letting out a sluggish kick. Karasu easily dodged into the air which Kurama followed, reaching out his hand grazing Karasu's neck, cutting off several strands of hair as he missed. They both landed back in the ring as Kurama continued his futile attack. Several more impressive kicks and punches landed flat but still Kurama pushed on with the fiercest expression I had ever seen.

"Aw man! Kurama's launching a full blown assault on Karasu, but so far it's completely useless! Blondie's dodging each punch!" Koto shouted from the sidelines as she hit her table. "I can't take it anymore, I need some blood!"

"He has a plan. It's obvious in the way that he moves." Hiei boldly declared, unbothered by what he was watching.

I had to agree with him, but still I worried. So far the link seemed to be tightly shut and I couldn't feel anything, and still he didn't take any of my spirit energy. He merely continued his tired assault on Karasu. Karasu continued to flip and twist out of the way, clearly amused by Kurama's attempt.

"I think you've finally lost your mind. If you come any closer you are a dead man." Karasu threatened as his right hand began to glow.

"I will not be afraid of something that I cannot see!" Kurama declared as he continued to rush Karasu.

Dodging the explosion Kurama landed before Karasu catching him off guard enough to land a two-palmed hit on his chest. Karasu skid back several paces looking unimpressed, his fist clenched tightly. Kurama was breathing heavily now, the aggressive tactic clearly taking its toll. It took all he had for Kurama to land even one hit.

"You're just full of surprises, but I thought you'd be more original," Karasu sighed as he dug around his chest and held up a single seed. "You really thought this would work? It's called tact, Kurama, something Ana had when she tried to pull the same stunt first. You should really consider using some."

"Gah! That stupid jerk is really starting to piss me off." Kuwabara bit out as he watched Kurama's plan fall flat.

"He knows what Kurama's gonna do before he does it!" Yusuke grunted out.

"Uh, guys...I don't think he's gonna make it." Koenma failed to whisper, causing my chest to tighten.

"I must congratulate you though. You've injured me more than once and that is practically unheard of." Karasu praised as he tossed Kurama's seed into the air with a small explosion.

As suddenly as Karasu exploded Kurama's last attempt, a large metal claw burst out from beneath Kurama's left foot, locking it in place. A small thin thread like bomb slithered up through the hole, its eye staring unblinking as it let out a cackle and dived towards Kurama's leg.

"That's what I call, my mad bomb." Karasu explained without an ounce of emotion left in his voice.

The explosion was deafening, but so was my scream as the pain ripped through the link severing any thought that Kurama was alright. It appeared that whatever concentration and strength he had left buckled at Karasu's explosive attack. I watched as Kurama was sent careening to the floor, his leg buckling into viscera and blood. I choked on a sob as my leg throbbed with the thrum of my blood. My skin felt singed and wet, pieces of it cutting like a knife, the rest still throbbing with my pulse. I think I was clinging to Erika's arm as my vision began to blur with tears. I continued to watch, unable to look away as I watched Kurama scream out in pain.

"No, Kurama!" Yusuke screamed over the cheering crowd.

Kurama continued to lay where he landed, his white paints staining more and more red as each second ticked by. I all but threw myself towards the railing as Erika held my shoulders, trying to keep me upright. I watched with my breath caught deep in my throat as Kurama struggled to raise himself up. That's when I noticed his wounded arm, the blood pouring rivets down his shoulder. I didn't feel my arm much at all, the pain in my leg was overwhelming at this point. Karasu chuckled as he watched Kurama struggle to his feet, his stance unstable and weak.

"Don't move another inch, Kurama! You're surrounded by bombs!" Yusuke cried out, stunning my thoughts into silence.

I couldn't see anything and I could only assume that meant Kurama couldn't either. But Yusuke did, and that was his only saving grace at this point. Kurama remained ridgid, his chest rising and falling the only indication he was still breathing. His eyes darted around trying to see something he couldn't.

"Didn't you say you chose not to be afraid of things you could not see?" Karasu mocked with venom in his voice as he stalked across the battlefield. "Well, here's a better look. You know that this entire battle has been an exercise in futility. You're weak...you're tired...you're powerless...you're pathetic. Yet it seems you have a masochistic streak that wants indulging. So, here goes."

Karasu raised his hand up, palm facing Kurama and pulled. With the slight movement of his hand several bombs began going off, first at Kurama's side, then his shoulder, his leg, his back, and then all I could remember was Erika peeling my fingers from the railing as she attempted to settle me back in my seat. The pain was immense, worse than I had ever experienced. Kurama should be dead from how bad the wounds were, if he were a normal human. But he wasn't, so the pain seared itself into my mind as I watched on helplessly. Each explosion pounded into me as the sound of Kurama's pain filled screams haunted the arena. As the explosions began to slow, Kurama dropped to his knees, the wind knocked out of us both.

"I can't watch him suffer like this!" I heard someone say as Erika held me tighter.

"Karasu is such a bastard!" Another voice cut in as I let out a muffled whimper. "He's clearly playing with him now. I wish he would just get this over with."

"I don't ever want to hear you talk like that again! Kurama will beat him, he has too! Kurama can't die, he just can't! I've lost one person I love to Toguro's Team, I can't lose another two!" I heard Botan admonish before she cut herself off.

I felt another hand on my shoulder and looked up to see Botan looking at me with a concerned expression. She smiled sadly at me as her hands began to hover over my shoulder.

"I can at least try to numb the pain." She said softly as her hands began to glow.

The pain lifted, almost as if dulled by something in the way. I could feel my chest relax and my lungs bring in proper amounts of air. I still felt dizzy and disoriented, but I could finally breathe properly once more, and for that I was thankful. Yet something still clawed at my chest, begging for me to do something, anything. A desperation to get to Kurama began to kick up inside me and I jerked ever so slightly from under Botan's healing hands. Erika caught my shoulder to keep me connected to Botan's healing energy as my leg grew restless. It felt wrong to be up here, my pain managed, instead of with Kurama in case he...my inner dialogue snapped shut, unable to finish that thought. The ground underneath Kurama was slowly pooling with blood leaving his complex pale as snow, contrasting from the reddening tile he lay on.

"Your red hair is perfect for that fiery spirit that I admire. You know that's why I've decided to leave your beautiful face unharmed." Karasu chuckled as he loomed before Kurama. "I may not be able to keep you, but I'll always have the memory of your face to give comfort."

Kurama rose to his feet once again, shakier than last time. His balance was off causing him to stumble and catch himself before hitting another bomb. Kurama continued to stare at Karasu, not saying or doing anything, just watching. Something felt off as I watched the two stare one another down. Kurama wasn't attacking anymore, nor was he defending himself or fleeing.

"Alright, let's end this." Karasu sighed as he raised his hand once more.

Several more explosions went off, hitting Kurama in the stomach and back. I keeled over as I let out a shrill gasp of pain. Botan yelped as she caught me with her hands and helped Erika hold me uptight. She continued to try and dull the pain with her other hand, but the most it was doing now was taking the edge off. I could feel my own strength waning as my dizziness increased. Kurama continued to scream as explosions went off, my head thrumming with fried nerves. Kurama's outfit was now completely soaked with his blood as smoke wafted off his singed flesh.

"NO!" Yusuke cried out as Kurama fell forward onto the ring.

"Yes! Let 'em have it, Karasu!" Someone from the audience screamed.

"Do it already! Finish him, finish him!"

The shouting from the audience grew louder as the carnage grew more intense. At this point it appeared as if Kurama was dead, but I knew better. Karasu enjoyed playing with his kills and Kurama was no exception. All I knew is that I needed to get down there, to be with Kurama regardless of the outcome. But I couldn't speak, all I could do was cling to my friends and sob as I watched. Perhaps this is why Kurama didn't want me to watch, to spare me from witnessing this. I wasn't sure anymore who was right, or what I would have preferred. It all felt so petty now. So far away, in a life that no longer felt my own.

"The crowd is going wild here and rightly so! Kurama's down and I don't think he's getting back up!" Koto started to announce when her mic was stolen from her hands by a blue skinned demon wearing a navy gi.

"Just do it. We don't have all day!" He shouted as Koto took that moment to steal her mic back.

"Gimme that you big oaf!" She shouted as a green skinned demon who was clearly intoxicated draped himself across her shoulders. "Juri, count! Please for the love of good hygiene, count!"

"Okay!" Juri shouted back as she rushed over towards the ring once more. "He has until the count of ten! If he stays down, Karasu wins. One! Two! Three! Four! Five! Six! Seven!"

But as Juri hit seven, Kurama began to struggle to his feet once more. The flow of his blood had slowed considerably, but the pool below him had still grown in size. His muscles strained against the fabric stuck to his gnarled flesh as he rose to his elbows. I could feel the pull of energy being pulled forth between us as everything grew hazier around me. The link opened wide like a chasm now, I pushed my own energy willingly as I felt him pulling it out like a long slow draw. My own desperation became clouded as my vision grew hazy, my mind somersaulting in a daze.

"You should have stayed down, but I guess that's not your style." Karasu said as he raised his hand once more for his final attack.

Energy began to spiral up around Kurama as several plants sprung forth from his hair. I let out a gasp as the energy draining from me felt like a severe gutpunch. The plants sailed out, searching for blood as they found the small puncture wound in Karasu's chest. Before Karasu could explode any more bombs, the plants skewered him and began to feast. I hunched over, my head between my legs as I felt Kurama's energy begin to fade from where he had opened the connection to draw out my own. He had passed out from his final attack as Karasu's life slowly faded away.

"His life..." Yusuke began to say.

"It's fading!" Kuwabara finished for him.

"Oh Kurama please get up!" Botan cried out from beside me.

"He isn't moving, do you think he's dead?" Yukina asked.

"No, not dead." I struggled to say, my mind feeling sluggish.

"Accept it you two. He sacrificed himself to kill Karasu." Shizuru said with a startling cold tone.

"If he's dead, I would be too. He's not dead." I hissed out catching Shizuru by surprise.

"What? What the hell do you mean you'd be dead too?" She asked hurriedly.

"Oh we don't have time for this!" Botan exclaimed as she grabbed my arm and pulled it around her shoulder. "Erika grab her other arm."

Erika did as Botan asked, having remained silent through us all arguing. I was lifted and slowly the three of us edged our way out of our seats and towards the aisle. They carefully manoeuvred me over several long dead demons as the rest avoided us like the plague, their curious gazes burning our backs as we made our way to the aisle.

"Where are you going?" Shizuru asked as she began to follow us.

"We need to get Ana to Kurama. When Karasu hurt Ana, being near Kurama seemed to help her heal, so I'm hoping bringing Ana over will do the same thing for Kurama." Botan explained as she helped me step over a piece of rubble.

"Wait, Ana got attacked by Karasu? What else haven't you told us?" Shizuru accused as she stood there staring at us.

"A lot, look I promise I'll answer whatever questions you have, but right now we need to get Ana to Kurama." Botan explained as the three of us continued to walk away.

Shizuru sat back down, but kept watching us as we made our way to the staircase. Keiko had turned back to watch Kurama, not as bothered by what Botan had said. It seemed she was more interested in what I had to say about Kurama being alive, thankfully. Her only real concern was that her friends were going to be okay and it warmed my sternum as I couldn't help but let out a small lazy smile.

"Please wake up..." She said as she hugged Puu tightly.

As we reached the bottom of the staircase I felt Kurama wake up, the link remaining open in his surprise. I let out the breath I was holding as Erika and Botan carted me towards the ring. We passed several stretches of dead demons before reaching the final staircase to descend and reach the ring. I watched as Kurama rose to his feet, a feeling of sheer surprise echoing through our link. As he turned to look at the rest of his team he caught sight of me making my way down the stairs with Botan and Erika. A euphoric feeling echoed around me through the link catching me by surprise. I watched as Kurama gave me a soft smile, a far cry from how I thought he'd react by seeing me. I couldn't help but react back with a similar feeling of happiness. After all, we were both alive and Karasu was not.

"And that's how we win this, yeah!" Yusuke cheered as he slammed his fist into his hand with a satisfying thud.

"He's a little hacked up, but I'd say he won!" Kuwabara agreed, his smile beaming brightly across his face.

"Umm..." Juri interjected from where she stood stock still beside a large rose protruding from Karasu's dead body. "Hold on..."

"And the winner by total gross-out is Kurama and the folks at Team Urameshi!" Koto declared, ignoring Juri entirely.

"We did it! In your face!" Kuwabara cheered at the declaration.

"You made a nice flower pot out of him, Kurama!" Yusuke complimented as he hopped into the ring to help Kurama out.

"Yes, good fun all around." Koenma added, his voice strained and tense still.

"How ya feelin' there, champ?" Yusuke asked as he reached Kurama.

"Fine." Kurama softly said, his voice unable to remain level, before he stumbled and fell to his knees.

"Hey! Be careful." Yusuke chastised despite his soft tone, before helping Kurama up.

"I'm sorry, Yusuke." Kurama said as he turned to his friend.

"Why?" Yusuke asked, perplexed.

"If only I could have lifted myself a fraction of a second sooner." Kurama admitted as he looked away.

"Who cares, you won!" Yusuke said, not understanding what Kurama meant.

"It's unwise to be so confident before an official announcement." Kurama explained without elaborating any further.

"And the official announcement says...the winner of match one is Karasu!" Juri declared as she pointed towards the husk of what used to be a terrifying demon.

"What?!" Yusuke shrieked.

"Huh? And now the fair and impartial Juri is saying that the winner was the late Karasu? I could've sworn I saw Kurama destroy him with my own eyes!" Koto exclaimed, equally confused.

"I don't care, I'm just glad he's dead and we're not." I sighed as Botan and Erika helped me sit down against the wall of the arena a few feet from the boys.

"It's not fair! These judges have had it out for us since the first day!" Kuwabara complained from the sidelines.

"Yeah, I've seen wrestling matches less rigged." Koenma agreed.

"Hey, you with the big fish ears, I've got a bone to pick with you!" Yusuke shouted as he stalked over towards Juri and grabbed the front of her scarf. "How does a dead guy win?"

"Hold it. I'd like it if you removed your hand." Juri growled at Yusuke as he encroached on her personal space.

"I'd like you to remove your head from your ass! But I don't see that happening anytime soon!" Yusuke shouted back without missing a beat as Juri threw his hands away.

"I won't talk to you!" She declared defiantly as she took a step back. "Until you learn how to keep your grimy fingers to yourself!"

"I'll put these grimy fingers through your face if you don't tell me how the hell the breathing guy loses!" Yusuke threatened with a raised fist.

"Fine! Your friend lost the dumb match because he was down for ten seconds after I started counting!" Juri exploded as she explained why Kurama lost.

"Oh, well then why didn't you say so?" Yusuke asked, having completely calmed down after hearing the explanation.

"Jerk-ass!" Juri screamed back at him.

"Hey! Kurama, you know what she's talkin' about?" Yusuke asked as he turned towards his teammate.

"Yes, I'm afraid." Kurama admitted.

"Uh, what probably happened here is that Juri confused Karasu with Kurama because both have long hair and both their names start with K. Which is an easy mistake to make if you're not a very experienced referee who got promoted from serving cocktails at the..." Koto started to say as someone from the sides nudged her and handed her a tape. "I've just been handed a mysterious unmarked videotape, so without further ado, let's go to the movies."

Putting the tape in a recording of the previous fight began to play on the overhead screen. There they stood, Karasu standing across from Kurama with his hand outstretched as several bombs started to descend upon Kurama in slow motion. I looked away as the explosions once again echoed around the ring. Only this time Karasu was dead and no pain would be accompanying the explosions.

"So far, this rerun has yet to reveal anything we didn't already know, though it is cool to watch the blood splatter in slo-mo!" Koto explained, causing me to wince as she said blood splatter.

"Ah, here it is!" Juri said, explaining what the video was showing since Koto didn't understand. "As you can see, I began the count like a responsible ref once Kurama hit the ground. He is the one with the red hair, right, Koto? Ten point two eight seconds."

"Gee whiz! Point two eight seconds, huh?" Koto answered, ignoring Juri's jibe in favour of doing her job. "But because Kurama stayed down for that much longer than the count, and didn't hit Karasu until after the fight was technically over, we have for the first time in the history of this Tournament a winner who's dead and a loser who's not."

"He's not a loser!" Kuwabara spluttered, unable to deny much else.

"We know who really won!" I could hear Botan yelling over the crowd of shouting demons.

"Yeah, I knew all those humans were a bunch of no-good cheating scum!" Someone shouted.

"All Team Toguro needs is two more wins! They're so close I can taste it!" Another joined in.

"Two more to go! Two more to go!" The crowd began to chant.

I opened my eyes again, unable to ignore the rumbling noise throughout the arena as everyone began to chant. The first thing I noticed was Yusuke standing in the middle of the ring with unveiled rage shaking throughout his body. He finally stilled and turned sharply towards the anxious Juri who took a quick step back.

"You keep living by your stupid rules. Next time we'll win." He said simply as he turned back to Kurama and started walking over. "Can you walk?"

I didn't hear if Kurama said anything, but Yusuke grabbed Kurama by the arm and easily lifted him up, shrugging Kurama's arm around his shoulder. They slowly made their way out of the arena as the crowd continued to chant 'two more to go'.

"Shut up! That's not even a clever chant!" Kuwabara bellowed as he shook his fist at the crowd. "No one seems to be taking into account our moral victory here, at least everyone on our team is alive."

"You just don't get it." The elder Toguro said, causing the entire crowd to fall into silence around him.

"Oh, you all shut up for the shoulder monkey!" Kuwabara shouted exasperatedly.

"Because they know whenever I open my mouth, I have something of importance to say. Your observation is, as usual, shortsighed and quite incorrect." The eldest Toguro chidded Kuwabara, pinning him with a mocking stare.

"Hey, what's that s'posed to mean!" Kuwabara shot back as he placed his hands on his hips.

"Even if by cruel cosmic joke you survive your matches, you forget the champions are each granted a wish. Once our team wins and mine is awarded, I'll wish for the death of all your friends!" Eldest Toguro spoke as he raised a thin clawed finger and pointed it straight towards Kuwabara.

The crowd began to pick up again as Yusuke and Kurama made it to the edge of the ring and Kuwabara helped them down. Yusuke caught sight of Botan, Erika, and I and wasted no time in manoeuvring Kurama towards us. Botan quickly rushed to stand and help Yusuke set Kurama against the wall beside me.

"I've had it up to here with this moronic chanting!" Kuwabara shouted from behind us.

"Forget world peace. Now I'll just wish for muzzles!" Yusuke grounded out as he shot me a grin before he stood up and walked back to join the rest of his team.

"Want to know what I will wish for when we beat them?" Hiei asked, his gaze staring straight at Team Toguro. "The bloody death of every member of that corrupt Tournament Committee, so that I'll never be pulled into one of their carnivals again."

"Intense." Erika said beside me as she let out a low whistle causing me to let out a small breathy laugh.

"And even to the loser go the spoils. We've already granted his wish, haven't we, Toguro?" Mr. Scar-Face said as he smoked yet another cigarette.

"I seriously doubt Hiei would have been invited to return anyway, after we tear his body into sections." Toguro laughed as his older brother jumped off his shoulder.

"But before my wish can be fulfilled, I'm going to enjoy very much beginning the annihilation of you, personally. Go ahead. I'll graciously allow you to pick your first martyr." The eldest Toguro said as he began to laugh in his thin and breathy way, but before he could say much more, the large man in armour behind him began to stomp forward. "Oh Bui, I wasn't expecting you to step forward so soon. You must be special. He rarely shows this much initiative. This should be dandy. Whichever one of you gets to fight Bui is in for quite the treat. He has the strength of a thousand oxen."

"Oh yeah? Well take a look at these big guns I got here! Let me go at this guy." Kuwabara shouted as he lifted his arm to flex.

"So, you want to be buried in that or something decent?" Koenma asked as he crossed his arms unimpressed.

"Now that you're close to my height, junior, why don't you say that to my face?" Kuwabara snapped as he grabbed Koenma by his scarf and pulled him in close.

"You want a grave or a tomb?" He asked.

"Yusuke," I heard Hiei start to say, causing Yusuke to turn towards him. "I planned on taking the thug with the sunglasses for myself, but after what he did to Genkai, I believe vengeance belongs to you."

"Thank you." Yusuke softly returned, unable to say much else.

"Hn." Hiei nodded as he disappeared and reappeared on the edge of the ring.

"Hiei?" Kuwabara asked as he turned away from trying, and failing, to bully Koenma.

"But this thug will do just as well." Hiei simply said as he began to walk towards the centre of the ring.

"But, hey! I thought I had the big guy!" Kuwabara shouted in confusion.

"What about burial flowers? Do you like roses?" Koenma continued to mock as he began to laugh as Kuwabara began to shake him.

"Would you please be quiet? I'm trying to think here!" Kuwabara complained, his attention back on the giggling prince.

Feeling myself growing tired, I looked over at Kurama as he laid peacefully against the wall, his eyes closed as he seemed to be listening to his teammates. He looked almost peaceful, serene even. Not like he had almost died and been fighting for his actual life. Despite the bits of blood coating his skin and clothes, he still looked painfully beautiful. I continued to just walk him until his eyes opened and caught mine staring at him. Quickly looking away I cleared my throat as a blush began to rise along my neck from being caught staring.

"How are you feeling?" I asked, my mind lacking for anything else to say.

I knew what I wanted to say, that I was sorry we had fought, I was sorry for the things I said, that I was glad he was alive and okay. That I wanted a hug or some sort of verification he was still tangibly here, with me physically and not somehow on his way through death's door. Some sort of connection that not everything was as broken and frayed as I was feeling. Something nudged softly against my mind, a brush of fleeting warmth, but I felt it all the same. I found my eyes drawn back up to Kurama's as he stared down at me.

"I've been better, but considering everything I am thankful hurt is all I am." Kurama answered me as he averted his gaze to look at his teammates standing next to the ring once again. "How are you feeling?"

"Well considering I am not actually the injured one right now, I'm going to settle with fine, tired but fine." I simply said as I continued to look at him.

It was hard not too, he had almost died after we had the biggest fight we've ever had. I felt the warmth nestled in my mind once again, this time staying. I felt heat rushing up the back of my neck as I allowed the sensation of calm to wash over me. It was then I realised the link was still open and I wondered if he had ever even closed it. Before I could wonder if it was a peace offering of some sort, Kurama had turned himself towards me and manoeuvred us until his arm had scooped around my side and pulled me towards his chest. I felt his warmth bleeding into me as I twisted to settle properly against his side, but as I moved the arm around me pulled me to rest between his legs as his other arm lifted my legs until I was nestled across his lap. My face almost tucked against his shoulder and neck, his breath tickling the top of my head as he let out a soft hum.

"Rest then, if you're tired. You have a few fights before you need to start worrying again at least." Kurama said in a small attempt at a joke as I felt a small smile against my hair.

The hand that had grabbed my legs now rested on my thigh, surprising me at how comfortable and familiar he was acting now. I couldn't see Kurama from where I was sitting as I started to feel myself slipping asleep as I had felt more drained than I had ever felt before. Maybe Kurama was taking my spirit energy, just after the fight to help himself heal. I continued to feel that same warmth brush against my psyche as I drifted off asleep.

~End Chapter 13~

Author's End Note: I am unable to answer any reviews right now as this took a lot of time to edit and post so apologies for anyone I missed! I love hearing from you all and am ever thankful you've stuck with me this long.

Citations:

[1] - Translated as Magic Killing-Wait Cutting Sword, or The Banshee Shriek in Funimation.

[2] - Translates to Vomiting Explosive Skull Ramming Burial or Chorus of a Thousand Skulls in Funimation.

[3] - Translates to Binding Shield Wall of Resentful Shouting or Cage of Hell in Funimation.

[4] - Translates to Spirit Light Mirror Repulsion or Spirit Reflection Blast in Funimation.

[5] - Translates to Wind Petal Waltz Configuration or Petals and Thorns in Funimation.