Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Coming Into the Light ❯ Chapter 1
[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]
By: Ladynero 
A Thief makes a deal with two Ninjas. Yaoi overtones.
Anime/Manga: Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Drama / | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 08.16.2005 | Pages: 3 | Words: 4.7K | Visits: 552 | Status: Completed
A Thief makes a deal with two Ninjas. Yaoi overtones.
Anime/Manga: Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Drama / | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 08.16.2005 | Pages: 3 | Words: 4.7K | Visits: 552 | Status: Completed
Coming into the Light
By: Tazzy
Summary: A thief makes a deal with two ninja.
Rating: PG-13 (language and yaoi overtones)
Disclaimer: I only wish I owned them.
Dedication: To Joisbismyoga, author of some of the *greatest* Yu Yu Hakusho stories I've read.
Author's Notes: Okay, in the English version of the Dark Tournament, Jin had a thick Irish accent so I'm gonna stick with that. And the foursome of Jin, Touya, Chuu and Rinku didn't show up until Hiei's match against Bui. I haven't seen anything past the Dark Tournament series so I have no idea what happens when they all get home so consider this AU from the Dark Tournament ending on.
Turning his back on the smoldering stadium, Kurama slowly started back to the hotel for some rest and a hot shower when he spotted two figures standing on the edge of the crowd. The mane of red hair and the ice blue locks were quite distinct even in the diverse gathering of demons, and Kurama hurried over to them, trying to make his way through the lingering spectators without jarring any of his still healing injuries. Six hours was not long enough to completely heal the amount of damage he took at Karasu's hands nor replenish his energy to its fullest.
"Touya! Jin!" he called as the two ninja turned to make their own way back to the hotel, and yelped as his foot caught on a rock, upsetting his precarious balance. He braced himself for hitting the hard ground when he was caught by a pair of cool hands that helped set him back on his feet. Looking up, Kurama found himself gazing into a pair of ice blue eyes, and chuckled ruefully.
"Apparently, I'm not as recovered from my fight with Karasu as I thought," confessed Kurama with a wry smile as Jin walked over to them. "I would like to speak to you both if you have the time."
"An' what would ya be sayin' ta us?" inquired Jin, tilting his head in a curious manner as he studied Kurama.
Kurama watched both of them carefully. "About entering the Light and what you might do there," he stated, his face completely serious. The ninja exchanged cautious looks before studying Kurama for any sign of deceit. Kurama smiled slightly and gestured for them to follow him. "We can discuss this in my room unless you prefer your own quarters."
Jim and Touya exchanged looks again before falling in on each side of Kurama. "Your room is fine, and it looks like you could use some fresh clothes," remarked Touya, gesturing to the torn and bloodstained clothes Kurama still wore. Nodding his head in acceptance, he started back to the hotel with the ninja, walking in a comfortable silence that only demons would understand. If Kurama had been with one of his human companions, they would have felt the need to fill the air with meaningless chatter, but demons, who lived much longer than humans, knew that there was a time and place for everything, including words.
Pushing open the door to the suite that Team Urameshi had been given upon their arrival, Kurama gestured for them to take a seat as he gingerly perched on a chair. Running his hand through his hair, Kurama removed the rose he hid in the ruby red locks and placed it on the coffee table before leaning back in the chair. "Have either of you through about what you would do now that three of your team are dead?"
"Not really," confessed Touya, sinking down on the couch and sitting sideways with his back against the arm as he faced Kurama. "I suppose we'll head back to the Makai and see who wants to hire us for their dirty work." There was a hint of wistfulness under the disgust and Kurama knew what caused that wistfulness. The thought of living a life without secrets, without hiding in the shadows while other walked about in the light of truth. "It would have been nice to step out of the shadows and live in the light."
"Yes, it would be nice," agreed Kurama, feeling the weight of his own secrets on his shoulders and the life in the shadows he was forced to live since his escape from the Makai. "But I think you still have a chance to live in the Light."
Now he had their attention as they stared at him in a mix of disbelief and skepticism. "What exactly are ya goin' on about?" Jin asked, summoning up a wind to sit on. "You live in the Light with Urameshi and his gang, don't ya?"
Kurama shook his head, his red hair flowing over his shoulders. "Did you watch my fight against Karasu?" When they shook their heads, Kurama nodded. "About fifteen years ago, there was a thief, Youko Kurama, who was well known. During a robbery, he was shot and presumably killed."
"But his body was never found," objected Touya, and that sent a jolt of surprise through Kurama. Apparently, when he had escaped his severely injured youko body in spirit form, his physical form had somehow been destroyed. The Ice Master froze and stared at Kurama with widening eyes. "You're *Youko* Kurama, the Makai Prince of Thieves, aren't you?"
"I wasn't about to let someone kill me after surviving for as long as I had," agreed Kurama. "I escaped into the Ningenkai where I found a woman and was reborn as her son. That's why my spirit energy registers as demon, and why I still live in the shadows. There are only a handful of people who know that I am Youko in the Ningenkai and all of them are here right now." 'Except for Genkai,' murmured the youko, sending a pang of regret through his heart at the thought of the aged psychic who died at Togoru's hands. Brushing that thought away, Kurama continued. "My human mother has no idea about my true identity, thinking of me only as her loyal and doting son. And to protect her and those who can't defend themselves from demons, I have to hide who I really am in the shadows."
"So that's what ye be meanin' afore ya passed out," Jin murmured. "An' why yer offerin' ta help us now."
Inclining his head, Kurama continued. "I still have hide-outs scattered around the Makai, and even a legal business or two including a tavern with a dojo attached to it in one of the calmer sections of the Makai. What I propose is this: I will sign over the tavern and dojo to you both with the stipulation that you pay me, or rather Youko Kurama, a small fee, equaling the cost of a meal a week. Now, I know I'll never really be able to collect this money, but it will keep everything legal and honest while giving you a source of emergency funds."
The two ninja stared at each other, silently communication flying between them before Jin's sky blue eyes returned to Kurama. "Might we have a bit of time to discuss this?"
"Of course," agreed Kurama. "I'll go get cleaned up while you talk." Gritting his teeth as aching muscles protested, the Plant Master pushed himself to his feet before retiring to his room to gather up his bathing supplies.
When he entered the bathroom, Kurama stripped off his ruined outfit and dumped it carelessly on the floor. Bloodstained and torn, there was no way he would be able to get that one clean again unless the cleaning staff here managed the same miracle with that outfit as they had with his white one. Shaking his head at his own foolishness, Kurama turned the shower on for as hot as he could stand it before climbing under the spray with a relieved moan. The hot water felt decadently wonderful on his sore muscles as the pounding spray washed the worst of the dirt and blood off of his skin, and he felt his eyes drooping under the heat.
Perhaps he could close his eyes for a few minutes. It wouldn't hurt and he could enjoy the water better...
***
Touya looked towards the bathroom when a muffled thump reached his ears and he glanced at Jin who nodded. Ghosting over to the closed door, the Ice Master pressed his ear against the wood as he tried to hear anything on the other side, but all he could make out was the shower running. He tested the knob to find the door unlocked and formed some ice shards in one hand as he braced to enter the bathroom. While it was uncommon to try and assassinate the winners of the Dark Tournament, it wasn't unheard of, especially if the winners were the so-called 'guest' team. Shoving the door open, Touya lunged into the room, ready to take any intruder by surprise and stopped when he saw the room was clear except for Kurama, sprawled on the floor of the shower with the water cascading over him to drain away a faint pink color.
Letting his ice vanish, Touya hurried over to the unconscious redhead and quickly checked him for any new injuries, sighing in relief when he discovered that the blood being washed away came from injuries sustained in Kurama's last fight that had opened when he had collapsed.
"Looks like he collapsed from exhaustion," remarked the Ice Master, tossing a reassuring smile to his friend and Jin slumped in relief. It would be just their luck to being this close to freedom from the shadows and have something take it away. Reaching up, Touya grabbed a washcloth and proceeded to clean Kurama with gentle touches as Jin raided the other rooms for bandages. Almost reverently, Touya ran the soapy cloth over pale skin and gazed at the reincarnated youko, seeing him as a possible ally instead of someone who had to be defeated to achieve a certain goal for the first time.
Long, slender limbs with more muscle than what his clothes lead a person to believe he had lay limp on the white porcelain of the shower, a silent testimony to the grace in which Kurama moved when he was awake. His hair was dyed a dark crimson by the water and framed a face pretty enough to pass for a female, and Touya couldn't help but chuckle at that thought. How many times had the Ice Master himself been mistaken for a female because of his looks?
Shaking his head at the path his thoughts were taking, Touya turned off the water and lifted Kurama from the shower to some towels spread out on the floor nearby before wiping the excess water from the Plant Master's skin.
"If ya stare any more, he might be getting' th' wrong idea about ye," teased Jin as he reentered the bathroom with an armful of supplies.
Touya tossed his friend a smile. "From what I heard of Youko Kurama, it would be interesting to hear what ideas he has about me," he replied in a soft voice as he started tending Kurama's injuries. His eyes drifted up to the peaceful features of the Plant Master. "I wonder what it would be like to battle him without the handicap he was under when we fought. He is a sight to behold when he does fight."
Jin chuckled softly and shook his head as he bundled the used towels and filthy clothes into the small laundry basket near the door. "Smitten already, aren't ya?"
A faint blush stained Touya's cheeks as he smirked up at Jin. "As if you aren't looking forward to a rematch with Urameshi," he retorted good-naturedly. Wrapping a large towel around Kurama, the Ice Master scooped him up and glanced at Jin. "Which one is his room?"
Jin turned and led him into a room that held the faint scent of roses and the fresh crisp scent of grass after a rain. In a few seconds, Kurama was tucked into bed, and the ninja stared down at him, both lost in their own thoughts.
"Do you think he's serious about his offer, Jin?" The soft question hung in the air, and Touya saw Jin shrug out of the corner of his eye.
"On th' surface, it looks too good ta be true, but me instincts are sayin' he's on th' level," Jin replied after a few minutes of silence. "Besides, what does he gain from this other than a couple o' allies?"
The Ice Master nodded just as the sounds of someone entering the suite reached his ears. A quick glance at Jin revealed an excited grin on the Wind Master's face before they ghosted out of the room to find the rest of Team Urameshi and their ladies entering the suite. There was a quiet air about them, almost mournful, and Touya remembered that the younger Toguro had killed Genkai before the final match of the Tournament.
"Doesn't look like Kurama's here," remarked the girl with blue hair as she glanced around the room only to yelp in surprise as she caught sight of the ninja. "What do you want?"
"Your silence for one thing," Touya stated, moving farther into the room so as not to wake Kurama. "Kurama's asleep, still recovering from his injuries."
Hiei lifted his head slightly as if scenting the air before staring at them with emotionless red eyes. "His injuries haven't healed yet?"
Jin shook his head. "Looks like he was tryin' ta stay on his feet instead of heal."
A girl at the back of the group stepped forward and Toya smiled at the delicate Koorime. "Where is he? I can help," she stated.
The blue haired ninja bowed to her and gestured to the room behind him. "He is asleep and his wounds have been tended to the best of our abilities, Lady Koorime."
She nodded in understanding as she moved into the room, an aqua glow surrounding her hands, and Touya casually leaned against the doorframe to guard her while she worked. His eyes danced over the new arrivals, noticing that the women looked rather recovered from their hurried escape of the stadium. Urameshi and Kuwabara looked like they had been in a war and barely survived, and Hiei was still a bit singed around the edges from mastering the Kokuryuha and his battle with Bui.
"So why are you here?" asked Urameshi after several minutes of tense silence as he sat down on one of the couches with his girlfriend sitting nearby, a worried look on her face as she watched him.
Touya shrugged a shoulder. "Kurama wished to speak to us about a private matter," he admitted, not willing to elaborate farther until the deal was done. There was soft movement behind him and Touya turned to find the Koorime standing there with a small smile on her gentle face as she looked up at him.
"Kurama is awake and wishes to talk to you," she announced with a slight bow before hurrying over to a swaying Kuwabara and gently led him over to a couch. "You're still hurt, Kazuma. You should rest." A dopey, love-stricken look appeared on the human's face and Touya shook his head in amusement as he entered Kurama's room.
The redhead was sitting up against the headboard, a pillow under his back, and smiled at Touya. "Sorry, I don't normally pass out during a business negotiation."
"Considering the severity of your injuries, I'm surprised you actually woke up as soon as you did," replied Touya, perching on the edge of the bed with Jin standing nearby. "We have discussed your offer and want to know one thing. What do you get out of this arrangement?"
There was silence as Kurama's green eyes studied the two before him. "I was hoping for friends, and the knowledge that I helped someone achieve their dreams."
"Then we agree to your terms," Touya stated, holding his hand out.
Grasping the outstretched hand firmly, Kurama shook it, sealing the verbal agreement before slowly climbing out of the bed, unconcerned about his lack of clothing. "Will you be returning to the Makai soon, or can you wait a few days for me to get the deed to the Laughing Fox for you?"
"The Laughing Fox?" echoed Touya, his voice filled with stunned disbelief.
Concerned eyes stared at them. "Is there something wrong with that offer?"
"No, it's just we weren't expecting that," Touya stated as his mind whirled. The Laughing Fox was well known in the Makai and as neutral a territory as could be in the hostile world. No fighting was allowed and anyone who did start a fight there was tossed out on his ear and barred from ever returning. There was a list of names and pictures of those banned from the Laughing Fox behind the bar for quick reference.
A soft smile crossed Kurama's face. "It may not be an uninhabited island of your very own, but I hope it's a descent consolation prize." He pulled on a white tunic trimmed in purple and tied a purple sash around his waist, looking exactly as he had when he had faced Touya in the ring. Only the faint tremor in his limbs betrayed how tired Kurama still was.
"It's very generous of you. Thank you." Touya was still trying to wrap his mind around the thought of owning the Laughing Fox. As successful as it was, they would never have to take a job they didn't want to do again, and the dojo would allow them to keep training their skills.
Touya wondered if the shock would ever wear off and some small part of him hoped it wouldn't.
***
Inclining his head slightly as he accepted the thanks, Kurama moved towards the outer room and paused by Touya. "Perhaps we can dine together this evening to finalize things," he invited, his voice soft and carrying only to the ninja. The Ice Master still had a slightly shocked expression on his face while Jin was quicker to recover from the surprise.
"Sure, we'll meet ye in th' dinin' room unless ye have other plans."
"That will be fine," agreed Kurama with a small smile for them. "Until dinner then." With that, he emerged into the main room and glanced around at his teammates. All of them could do with some rest and healing, but none appeared as exhausted and drained as Kurama felt.
"You look like hell, man," greeted Yusuke with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.
"Apparently, you haven't looked in a mirror lately," drawled Kurama, the small smile on his lips taking most of the sting out of his words. "Botan, is Koenma still around or has he departed for the Reikai already?"
Botan frowned as her eyes seemed to focus on something in the distance. "I think he's still here, getting everything arranged for the demons to return to the Makai," she stated and Kurama nodded.
"Can you take me to him? I have a matter I wish to discuss with him." For a moment, it looked like the ferry girl was going to object but something in her blue eyes changed and she nodded, motioning for him to follow her. With a nod to his teammates and a wave to the ninja, Kurama trailed after Botan.
***
That evening, a much more recovered looking Kurama sat at a table in a corner of the dining room with a potted fern at his back, sipping his tea as he waited. Occasionally, a branch of the fern would dip and brush across Kurama's shoulder, the movement faint enough to be brushed off as a draft manipulating the plant. Kurama was grateful for any energy that the plant was willing to share with him because the few hours of sleep he had caught after speaking with Koenma had only helped his recovery so far.
A shadow fell over the table and Kurama smiled as he gestured to the empty seats across from him. "Thank you for joining me, Touya and Jin," he greeted as the ninja claimed their seats. He slid a scroll over to them. "There it is. Yours for the taking."
Hesitantly, as if afraid that it might vanish, Touya reached out and snatched the scroll the second his fingers touched it before unrolling it to read as Kurama continued to drink his tea. The redhead knew exactly what it said and was just waiting for them to reach the part he had talked fast and bargained hard to get Koenma to add.
"Kurama, why is there a portal between the Makai and the Ningankai listed here?" Touya's voice was filled with wary curiosity and Kurama allowed an innocent look to appear on his face.
"How else would you enjoy the Ningenkai and the delights there if you were unable to move between it and the Makai?" he inquired with a raised brow as if it was the most common thing in the world for a pair of demons to not only have a tavern but a portal in it as well. "Koenma set it up so it is tuned to you two only. That way, you have an escape route and he doesn't have to worry about ever demon and their brother wandering through to the Ningenkai."
Kurama smiled mischeviously, enjoying their startled looks. "Perhaps I could even show you around Tokyo some and help you interact with humans if you wanted." He slid a slip of paper across to Touya. "That is my address and human name. If you appeared at my door asking for Kurama, my ningenkai family would give you strange looks."
"I'm sure they would," agreed Touya, tucking the slip of paper away as the waitress approached their table and placed their orders.
"So what will you do now?" inquired the Ice Master once they were left alone again.
That question got a slight shrug of Kurama's shoulders. "Continue helping Yusuke now that Genkai's gone, maybe find a way out of my parole earlier than I'm scheduled, and keep playing the obedient son to my mother." A wistful smile touched his lips. "Although it would be nice to be able to become Youko again without depending on an external source."
"Haven't you been approached by the Committee about your prize?" inquired Touya, a look of surprise on his face. "I never heard of them taking this long to grant prizes before."
Kurama shook his head, his red hair swaying about his shoulders. "No one from any committee has approached any of us," he confessed. "Perhaps they didn't make it out when the stadium exploded." Yet even as he said it, Kurama had a feeling that they had been dead long before the stadium exploded. Of course, if Hiei happened to get his hands on them, then it was practically guaranteed that they were dead. The fire demon didn't enjoy being pressured into something that wasn't his decision, and being forced to participate in the Dark Tournament meant a bloody future for those doing the forcing.
"Perhaps," echoed Touya. His own disbelief at that statement showing in his eyes as their food was delivered and the waitress left them alone again. Taking a small taste of his food, Kurama checked for any poisons and was delighted to find his food and drink clear of anything deadly or even incapacitating. This was a pleasant change from a few of the other meals he had after the first round of fights which had contained serious drugs in them to disorder and possibly kill him.
“Hey! There’s Chuu an’ Rinku. I’m gonna go tell ‘em about our good luck, hey?” announced Jin, grinning at the other two before standing up and leaving the two alone.
Kurama quickly finished his meal and sat back with his tea, emerald green eyes watching Touya eat with veiled delight. The Ice Master was a beautiful demon, cool angles with slanted blue eyes and the unearthly grace that came from centuries of training and fighting. He was a beauty to watch fight and Kurama wished that he had the opportunity to watch that grace again when he wasn’t fighting for his own life.
“Is there something wrong?” Touya’s voice cut through Kurama’s musings and the redhead smiled slightly as he shook his head.
“No, just lost in thought,” replied the Plant Master. “Thank you for tending to my injuries earlier. You didn’t have to do that for me.”
The blue haired ninja snorted and peered at Kurama through his aqua green bangs. “What was I suppose to do? Leave you there to slowly bleed out and possibly come down sick? Hardly the polite way to start an alliance.” A teasing smile appeared on Touya’s face. “Tell me. Are all kitsune as unshy about their bodies as you?”
That received a secretive smile from the Plant Master. “Kitsunes by nature are sensual beings and once we reach our majority, any shyness that we might have rapidly vanishes.” He rested his chin on the back of his hand as he continued watching Touya. “What about Ice Masters? Are you shy or is there a reason for covering yourself up as you do?”
A startled chuckle escaped Touya as he placed his silverware on his empty plate. “It’s actually a form of armor,” he replied, gesturing at the dark blue shirt and fishnet sleeves under the sweeping white overtunic. “A bit flashy, I admit, but more protection than Jin’s outfit, especially since I don’t have a gale to glide upon like he does.”
Chuckling, Kurama pushed himself up from the table and started for his room. As he passed by Touya, the reincarnated youko stopped and gazed at Touya with an unreadable expression before he came to a decision. “I’m certainly glad that you didn’t die at my hand, Ice Master Touya,” he murmured, reaching out to turn that startled face towards him before placing a chaste kiss on cool lips. Touya was frozen as Kurama stood back up, smiled, and continued back to his room to finish his recovery.
Perhaps something good came out of this tournament after all.
The End
By: Tazzy
Summary: A thief makes a deal with two ninja.
Rating: PG-13 (language and yaoi overtones)
Disclaimer: I only wish I owned them.
Dedication: To Joisbismyoga, author of some of the *greatest* Yu Yu Hakusho stories I've read.
Author's Notes: Okay, in the English version of the Dark Tournament, Jin had a thick Irish accent so I'm gonna stick with that. And the foursome of Jin, Touya, Chuu and Rinku didn't show up until Hiei's match against Bui. I haven't seen anything past the Dark Tournament series so I have no idea what happens when they all get home so consider this AU from the Dark Tournament ending on.
Turning his back on the smoldering stadium, Kurama slowly started back to the hotel for some rest and a hot shower when he spotted two figures standing on the edge of the crowd. The mane of red hair and the ice blue locks were quite distinct even in the diverse gathering of demons, and Kurama hurried over to them, trying to make his way through the lingering spectators without jarring any of his still healing injuries. Six hours was not long enough to completely heal the amount of damage he took at Karasu's hands nor replenish his energy to its fullest.
"Touya! Jin!" he called as the two ninja turned to make their own way back to the hotel, and yelped as his foot caught on a rock, upsetting his precarious balance. He braced himself for hitting the hard ground when he was caught by a pair of cool hands that helped set him back on his feet. Looking up, Kurama found himself gazing into a pair of ice blue eyes, and chuckled ruefully.
"Apparently, I'm not as recovered from my fight with Karasu as I thought," confessed Kurama with a wry smile as Jin walked over to them. "I would like to speak to you both if you have the time."
"An' what would ya be sayin' ta us?" inquired Jin, tilting his head in a curious manner as he studied Kurama.
Kurama watched both of them carefully. "About entering the Light and what you might do there," he stated, his face completely serious. The ninja exchanged cautious looks before studying Kurama for any sign of deceit. Kurama smiled slightly and gestured for them to follow him. "We can discuss this in my room unless you prefer your own quarters."
Jim and Touya exchanged looks again before falling in on each side of Kurama. "Your room is fine, and it looks like you could use some fresh clothes," remarked Touya, gesturing to the torn and bloodstained clothes Kurama still wore. Nodding his head in acceptance, he started back to the hotel with the ninja, walking in a comfortable silence that only demons would understand. If Kurama had been with one of his human companions, they would have felt the need to fill the air with meaningless chatter, but demons, who lived much longer than humans, knew that there was a time and place for everything, including words.
Pushing open the door to the suite that Team Urameshi had been given upon their arrival, Kurama gestured for them to take a seat as he gingerly perched on a chair. Running his hand through his hair, Kurama removed the rose he hid in the ruby red locks and placed it on the coffee table before leaning back in the chair. "Have either of you through about what you would do now that three of your team are dead?"
"Not really," confessed Touya, sinking down on the couch and sitting sideways with his back against the arm as he faced Kurama. "I suppose we'll head back to the Makai and see who wants to hire us for their dirty work." There was a hint of wistfulness under the disgust and Kurama knew what caused that wistfulness. The thought of living a life without secrets, without hiding in the shadows while other walked about in the light of truth. "It would have been nice to step out of the shadows and live in the light."
"Yes, it would be nice," agreed Kurama, feeling the weight of his own secrets on his shoulders and the life in the shadows he was forced to live since his escape from the Makai. "But I think you still have a chance to live in the Light."
Now he had their attention as they stared at him in a mix of disbelief and skepticism. "What exactly are ya goin' on about?" Jin asked, summoning up a wind to sit on. "You live in the Light with Urameshi and his gang, don't ya?"
Kurama shook his head, his red hair flowing over his shoulders. "Did you watch my fight against Karasu?" When they shook their heads, Kurama nodded. "About fifteen years ago, there was a thief, Youko Kurama, who was well known. During a robbery, he was shot and presumably killed."
"But his body was never found," objected Touya, and that sent a jolt of surprise through Kurama. Apparently, when he had escaped his severely injured youko body in spirit form, his physical form had somehow been destroyed. The Ice Master froze and stared at Kurama with widening eyes. "You're *Youko* Kurama, the Makai Prince of Thieves, aren't you?"
"I wasn't about to let someone kill me after surviving for as long as I had," agreed Kurama. "I escaped into the Ningenkai where I found a woman and was reborn as her son. That's why my spirit energy registers as demon, and why I still live in the shadows. There are only a handful of people who know that I am Youko in the Ningenkai and all of them are here right now." 'Except for Genkai,' murmured the youko, sending a pang of regret through his heart at the thought of the aged psychic who died at Togoru's hands. Brushing that thought away, Kurama continued. "My human mother has no idea about my true identity, thinking of me only as her loyal and doting son. And to protect her and those who can't defend themselves from demons, I have to hide who I really am in the shadows."
"So that's what ye be meanin' afore ya passed out," Jin murmured. "An' why yer offerin' ta help us now."
Inclining his head, Kurama continued. "I still have hide-outs scattered around the Makai, and even a legal business or two including a tavern with a dojo attached to it in one of the calmer sections of the Makai. What I propose is this: I will sign over the tavern and dojo to you both with the stipulation that you pay me, or rather Youko Kurama, a small fee, equaling the cost of a meal a week. Now, I know I'll never really be able to collect this money, but it will keep everything legal and honest while giving you a source of emergency funds."
The two ninja stared at each other, silently communication flying between them before Jin's sky blue eyes returned to Kurama. "Might we have a bit of time to discuss this?"
"Of course," agreed Kurama. "I'll go get cleaned up while you talk." Gritting his teeth as aching muscles protested, the Plant Master pushed himself to his feet before retiring to his room to gather up his bathing supplies.
When he entered the bathroom, Kurama stripped off his ruined outfit and dumped it carelessly on the floor. Bloodstained and torn, there was no way he would be able to get that one clean again unless the cleaning staff here managed the same miracle with that outfit as they had with his white one. Shaking his head at his own foolishness, Kurama turned the shower on for as hot as he could stand it before climbing under the spray with a relieved moan. The hot water felt decadently wonderful on his sore muscles as the pounding spray washed the worst of the dirt and blood off of his skin, and he felt his eyes drooping under the heat.
Perhaps he could close his eyes for a few minutes. It wouldn't hurt and he could enjoy the water better...
***
Touya looked towards the bathroom when a muffled thump reached his ears and he glanced at Jin who nodded. Ghosting over to the closed door, the Ice Master pressed his ear against the wood as he tried to hear anything on the other side, but all he could make out was the shower running. He tested the knob to find the door unlocked and formed some ice shards in one hand as he braced to enter the bathroom. While it was uncommon to try and assassinate the winners of the Dark Tournament, it wasn't unheard of, especially if the winners were the so-called 'guest' team. Shoving the door open, Touya lunged into the room, ready to take any intruder by surprise and stopped when he saw the room was clear except for Kurama, sprawled on the floor of the shower with the water cascading over him to drain away a faint pink color.
Letting his ice vanish, Touya hurried over to the unconscious redhead and quickly checked him for any new injuries, sighing in relief when he discovered that the blood being washed away came from injuries sustained in Kurama's last fight that had opened when he had collapsed.
"Looks like he collapsed from exhaustion," remarked the Ice Master, tossing a reassuring smile to his friend and Jin slumped in relief. It would be just their luck to being this close to freedom from the shadows and have something take it away. Reaching up, Touya grabbed a washcloth and proceeded to clean Kurama with gentle touches as Jin raided the other rooms for bandages. Almost reverently, Touya ran the soapy cloth over pale skin and gazed at the reincarnated youko, seeing him as a possible ally instead of someone who had to be defeated to achieve a certain goal for the first time.
Long, slender limbs with more muscle than what his clothes lead a person to believe he had lay limp on the white porcelain of the shower, a silent testimony to the grace in which Kurama moved when he was awake. His hair was dyed a dark crimson by the water and framed a face pretty enough to pass for a female, and Touya couldn't help but chuckle at that thought. How many times had the Ice Master himself been mistaken for a female because of his looks?
Shaking his head at the path his thoughts were taking, Touya turned off the water and lifted Kurama from the shower to some towels spread out on the floor nearby before wiping the excess water from the Plant Master's skin.
"If ya stare any more, he might be getting' th' wrong idea about ye," teased Jin as he reentered the bathroom with an armful of supplies.
Touya tossed his friend a smile. "From what I heard of Youko Kurama, it would be interesting to hear what ideas he has about me," he replied in a soft voice as he started tending Kurama's injuries. His eyes drifted up to the peaceful features of the Plant Master. "I wonder what it would be like to battle him without the handicap he was under when we fought. He is a sight to behold when he does fight."
Jin chuckled softly and shook his head as he bundled the used towels and filthy clothes into the small laundry basket near the door. "Smitten already, aren't ya?"
A faint blush stained Touya's cheeks as he smirked up at Jin. "As if you aren't looking forward to a rematch with Urameshi," he retorted good-naturedly. Wrapping a large towel around Kurama, the Ice Master scooped him up and glanced at Jin. "Which one is his room?"
Jin turned and led him into a room that held the faint scent of roses and the fresh crisp scent of grass after a rain. In a few seconds, Kurama was tucked into bed, and the ninja stared down at him, both lost in their own thoughts.
"Do you think he's serious about his offer, Jin?" The soft question hung in the air, and Touya saw Jin shrug out of the corner of his eye.
"On th' surface, it looks too good ta be true, but me instincts are sayin' he's on th' level," Jin replied after a few minutes of silence. "Besides, what does he gain from this other than a couple o' allies?"
The Ice Master nodded just as the sounds of someone entering the suite reached his ears. A quick glance at Jin revealed an excited grin on the Wind Master's face before they ghosted out of the room to find the rest of Team Urameshi and their ladies entering the suite. There was a quiet air about them, almost mournful, and Touya remembered that the younger Toguro had killed Genkai before the final match of the Tournament.
"Doesn't look like Kurama's here," remarked the girl with blue hair as she glanced around the room only to yelp in surprise as she caught sight of the ninja. "What do you want?"
"Your silence for one thing," Touya stated, moving farther into the room so as not to wake Kurama. "Kurama's asleep, still recovering from his injuries."
Hiei lifted his head slightly as if scenting the air before staring at them with emotionless red eyes. "His injuries haven't healed yet?"
Jin shook his head. "Looks like he was tryin' ta stay on his feet instead of heal."
A girl at the back of the group stepped forward and Toya smiled at the delicate Koorime. "Where is he? I can help," she stated.
The blue haired ninja bowed to her and gestured to the room behind him. "He is asleep and his wounds have been tended to the best of our abilities, Lady Koorime."
She nodded in understanding as she moved into the room, an aqua glow surrounding her hands, and Touya casually leaned against the doorframe to guard her while she worked. His eyes danced over the new arrivals, noticing that the women looked rather recovered from their hurried escape of the stadium. Urameshi and Kuwabara looked like they had been in a war and barely survived, and Hiei was still a bit singed around the edges from mastering the Kokuryuha and his battle with Bui.
"So why are you here?" asked Urameshi after several minutes of tense silence as he sat down on one of the couches with his girlfriend sitting nearby, a worried look on her face as she watched him.
Touya shrugged a shoulder. "Kurama wished to speak to us about a private matter," he admitted, not willing to elaborate farther until the deal was done. There was soft movement behind him and Touya turned to find the Koorime standing there with a small smile on her gentle face as she looked up at him.
"Kurama is awake and wishes to talk to you," she announced with a slight bow before hurrying over to a swaying Kuwabara and gently led him over to a couch. "You're still hurt, Kazuma. You should rest." A dopey, love-stricken look appeared on the human's face and Touya shook his head in amusement as he entered Kurama's room.
The redhead was sitting up against the headboard, a pillow under his back, and smiled at Touya. "Sorry, I don't normally pass out during a business negotiation."
"Considering the severity of your injuries, I'm surprised you actually woke up as soon as you did," replied Touya, perching on the edge of the bed with Jin standing nearby. "We have discussed your offer and want to know one thing. What do you get out of this arrangement?"
There was silence as Kurama's green eyes studied the two before him. "I was hoping for friends, and the knowledge that I helped someone achieve their dreams."
"Then we agree to your terms," Touya stated, holding his hand out.
Grasping the outstretched hand firmly, Kurama shook it, sealing the verbal agreement before slowly climbing out of the bed, unconcerned about his lack of clothing. "Will you be returning to the Makai soon, or can you wait a few days for me to get the deed to the Laughing Fox for you?"
"The Laughing Fox?" echoed Touya, his voice filled with stunned disbelief.
Concerned eyes stared at them. "Is there something wrong with that offer?"
"No, it's just we weren't expecting that," Touya stated as his mind whirled. The Laughing Fox was well known in the Makai and as neutral a territory as could be in the hostile world. No fighting was allowed and anyone who did start a fight there was tossed out on his ear and barred from ever returning. There was a list of names and pictures of those banned from the Laughing Fox behind the bar for quick reference.
A soft smile crossed Kurama's face. "It may not be an uninhabited island of your very own, but I hope it's a descent consolation prize." He pulled on a white tunic trimmed in purple and tied a purple sash around his waist, looking exactly as he had when he had faced Touya in the ring. Only the faint tremor in his limbs betrayed how tired Kurama still was.
"It's very generous of you. Thank you." Touya was still trying to wrap his mind around the thought of owning the Laughing Fox. As successful as it was, they would never have to take a job they didn't want to do again, and the dojo would allow them to keep training their skills.
Touya wondered if the shock would ever wear off and some small part of him hoped it wouldn't.
***
Inclining his head slightly as he accepted the thanks, Kurama moved towards the outer room and paused by Touya. "Perhaps we can dine together this evening to finalize things," he invited, his voice soft and carrying only to the ninja. The Ice Master still had a slightly shocked expression on his face while Jin was quicker to recover from the surprise.
"Sure, we'll meet ye in th' dinin' room unless ye have other plans."
"That will be fine," agreed Kurama with a small smile for them. "Until dinner then." With that, he emerged into the main room and glanced around at his teammates. All of them could do with some rest and healing, but none appeared as exhausted and drained as Kurama felt.
"You look like hell, man," greeted Yusuke with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.
"Apparently, you haven't looked in a mirror lately," drawled Kurama, the small smile on his lips taking most of the sting out of his words. "Botan, is Koenma still around or has he departed for the Reikai already?"
Botan frowned as her eyes seemed to focus on something in the distance. "I think he's still here, getting everything arranged for the demons to return to the Makai," she stated and Kurama nodded.
"Can you take me to him? I have a matter I wish to discuss with him." For a moment, it looked like the ferry girl was going to object but something in her blue eyes changed and she nodded, motioning for him to follow her. With a nod to his teammates and a wave to the ninja, Kurama trailed after Botan.
***
That evening, a much more recovered looking Kurama sat at a table in a corner of the dining room with a potted fern at his back, sipping his tea as he waited. Occasionally, a branch of the fern would dip and brush across Kurama's shoulder, the movement faint enough to be brushed off as a draft manipulating the plant. Kurama was grateful for any energy that the plant was willing to share with him because the few hours of sleep he had caught after speaking with Koenma had only helped his recovery so far.
A shadow fell over the table and Kurama smiled as he gestured to the empty seats across from him. "Thank you for joining me, Touya and Jin," he greeted as the ninja claimed their seats. He slid a scroll over to them. "There it is. Yours for the taking."
Hesitantly, as if afraid that it might vanish, Touya reached out and snatched the scroll the second his fingers touched it before unrolling it to read as Kurama continued to drink his tea. The redhead knew exactly what it said and was just waiting for them to reach the part he had talked fast and bargained hard to get Koenma to add.
"Kurama, why is there a portal between the Makai and the Ningankai listed here?" Touya's voice was filled with wary curiosity and Kurama allowed an innocent look to appear on his face.
"How else would you enjoy the Ningenkai and the delights there if you were unable to move between it and the Makai?" he inquired with a raised brow as if it was the most common thing in the world for a pair of demons to not only have a tavern but a portal in it as well. "Koenma set it up so it is tuned to you two only. That way, you have an escape route and he doesn't have to worry about ever demon and their brother wandering through to the Ningenkai."
Kurama smiled mischeviously, enjoying their startled looks. "Perhaps I could even show you around Tokyo some and help you interact with humans if you wanted." He slid a slip of paper across to Touya. "That is my address and human name. If you appeared at my door asking for Kurama, my ningenkai family would give you strange looks."
"I'm sure they would," agreed Touya, tucking the slip of paper away as the waitress approached their table and placed their orders.
"So what will you do now?" inquired the Ice Master once they were left alone again.
That question got a slight shrug of Kurama's shoulders. "Continue helping Yusuke now that Genkai's gone, maybe find a way out of my parole earlier than I'm scheduled, and keep playing the obedient son to my mother." A wistful smile touched his lips. "Although it would be nice to be able to become Youko again without depending on an external source."
"Haven't you been approached by the Committee about your prize?" inquired Touya, a look of surprise on his face. "I never heard of them taking this long to grant prizes before."
Kurama shook his head, his red hair swaying about his shoulders. "No one from any committee has approached any of us," he confessed. "Perhaps they didn't make it out when the stadium exploded." Yet even as he said it, Kurama had a feeling that they had been dead long before the stadium exploded. Of course, if Hiei happened to get his hands on them, then it was practically guaranteed that they were dead. The fire demon didn't enjoy being pressured into something that wasn't his decision, and being forced to participate in the Dark Tournament meant a bloody future for those doing the forcing.
"Perhaps," echoed Touya. His own disbelief at that statement showing in his eyes as their food was delivered and the waitress left them alone again. Taking a small taste of his food, Kurama checked for any poisons and was delighted to find his food and drink clear of anything deadly or even incapacitating. This was a pleasant change from a few of the other meals he had after the first round of fights which had contained serious drugs in them to disorder and possibly kill him.
“Hey! There’s Chuu an’ Rinku. I’m gonna go tell ‘em about our good luck, hey?” announced Jin, grinning at the other two before standing up and leaving the two alone.
Kurama quickly finished his meal and sat back with his tea, emerald green eyes watching Touya eat with veiled delight. The Ice Master was a beautiful demon, cool angles with slanted blue eyes and the unearthly grace that came from centuries of training and fighting. He was a beauty to watch fight and Kurama wished that he had the opportunity to watch that grace again when he wasn’t fighting for his own life.
“Is there something wrong?” Touya’s voice cut through Kurama’s musings and the redhead smiled slightly as he shook his head.
“No, just lost in thought,” replied the Plant Master. “Thank you for tending to my injuries earlier. You didn’t have to do that for me.”
The blue haired ninja snorted and peered at Kurama through his aqua green bangs. “What was I suppose to do? Leave you there to slowly bleed out and possibly come down sick? Hardly the polite way to start an alliance.” A teasing smile appeared on Touya’s face. “Tell me. Are all kitsune as unshy about their bodies as you?”
That received a secretive smile from the Plant Master. “Kitsunes by nature are sensual beings and once we reach our majority, any shyness that we might have rapidly vanishes.” He rested his chin on the back of his hand as he continued watching Touya. “What about Ice Masters? Are you shy or is there a reason for covering yourself up as you do?”
A startled chuckle escaped Touya as he placed his silverware on his empty plate. “It’s actually a form of armor,” he replied, gesturing at the dark blue shirt and fishnet sleeves under the sweeping white overtunic. “A bit flashy, I admit, but more protection than Jin’s outfit, especially since I don’t have a gale to glide upon like he does.”
Chuckling, Kurama pushed himself up from the table and started for his room. As he passed by Touya, the reincarnated youko stopped and gazed at Touya with an unreadable expression before he came to a decision. “I’m certainly glad that you didn’t die at my hand, Ice Master Touya,” he murmured, reaching out to turn that startled face towards him before placing a chaste kiss on cool lips. Touya was frozen as Kurama stood back up, smiled, and continued back to his room to finish his recovery.
Perhaps something good came out of this tournament after all.
The End