Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Three Headaches ❯ The Ace in the Hole ( Chapter 1 )

Most of the dialogue in this chapter is based loosely on the dialogue of the manga version of Yuu Yuu Hakusho, so I doubt that you'll see any lines that you recognize unless it's an important line.

Three Headaches

The Ace in the Hole

Bored?

“Extremely,” Hiei answered without a second thought.

Is there a way to alleviate said boredom?

The answer to that particular question didn't come to him readily, so he thought on that a while. What had he not done? Or at least hadn't done in a while?

He had been doing several things to waste away time, yet the pillaging of hundreds of villages within the Demon World was getting dull quick, the games with the minor nobles were no longer amusing, the higher ups and royalty were getting suspicious, and the three warlords were getting more uppity about something - which meant disappearing from their eyes once again anyway.

Let's find something fun to do.

Hiei asked sarcastically, “Terrorizing innocents and fools is no longer among the things accounted as fun?”

It no longer brings that certain bite. I need something … more.

Snorting, he said, “Explain `more.'”

Something new. Something fresh, and bold.

His eyes narrowed at nothing on the horizon. The Demon World's sky was a reddish-orange, almost like rust. The Entity had suggested once that the Demon World itself was rusting. Becoming old and useless in the wake of the Spirit World trying to grasp hold of things, and the Human World reaching for new better things. Reaching for whatever was beyond their glittering azure sky …

“We're going to the Spirit World, but first, I have to get Youko,” he said finally, and Hiei felt the Entity's curiosity rise slightly.

What do you have in mind?

“Nothing really,” he half-lied. “It'll come to me though.”

Leaping head first into a tunnel with an unforeseen end?

“"Does it not suit you?”

It suits me just fine, I was just wondering about you. This isn't your usual style.

Hiei smirked, and said, “Shall we then?”

Are we really going to Youko? The Youko?

“Why not? Won't it be fun? Won't it be a challenge? Anything that requires Youko means something of interest.”

What do you think we'll need?

“That's exactly what I wanted to hear.”

*-*-*

“It's been a year now, Hiei.” Her eyes narrowed suspiciously at me, “So would you explain your sudden appearance?”

Bitch.

A cold bitch, Hiei corrected the Entity before saying to the young human, “I heard that the human that's taking care of you - your mother - is very sick.”

She stiffened just slightly - living with these humans must have addled her a bit, if she had been in her true form, she would have never let herself slip like that - and then she attempted to relax, but it was already too late. Hiei knew that she was uneasy with the subject, “What of it?”

“I have a proposition to make.”

Now what are you doing?

Be patient, he thought.

The human stirred her tea absently, watching him with a discernable eye, “I'm listening.”

“You know of King Enma's vault in the Spirit World obviously. From what I've learned about you, you've been there several times already. But there are several things that you haven't dared touch.”

She raised an eyebrow at this, “What does this have to do with my mother?”

“Patience,” he nearly crooned, and she flushed in embarrassment at his little call. “The Three Dark Treasures were once all under heavy guard, but now that one of the most nefarious thieves - namely you - is presumed dead, they've been slacking off. It would be easy to sneak in, and take all three of them.”

Her lips pursed thoughtfully, and named them all, “The Rapacious Orb, the Conjuring Blade, and the Mirror of Darkness.”

“When I'm done with what I want with them, I'll let you have the Mirror,” I whispered softly, watching her shiver unconsciously from my deep voice. “Use it however you want, Kurama, because after I'm done with it, it'll be totally useless to me.”

Is this about the girl?

Hiei ignored the Entity for now, waiting out Kurama. Finally, she set the teacup down with a faint clink on the table, “We'll need at least one grunt.”

“I suspected as much. I already have someone in mind.”

I'm not a grunt.

Of course, not. You're the thing in my head.

She nodded absently, and then stood up, setting aside enough money to pay for both of the cups of tea, “I need to set up some plans then.”

He pulled out a folder from his cloak, her eyes widening slightly when noticing that such a large folder had been hidden inside. Giving it to her, he said, “This holds the blueprints of the entire Spirit World Palace, and information on the third member - our grunt. I hope that you'll find some use from it.”

Then who? You've can't possibly be thinking of who I think you're thinking of … can you?

“I hope that I will,” she murmured, almost to herself, already stashing the folder in her school bag. Kurama didn't even wave goodbye, just starting down the street away from the café.

You got it.

He'll mess something up.

Is that a premonition or are you still biased? I'm not fond of him either as you're well aware of.

A bit of both, I think. I see death.

My death or his?

His.

Good, I was planning to erase him from the face of these worlds sooner or later. Now, it'll be sooner.

If you say so.

Hiei frowned at that, What's that supposed to mean?

Nothing, just wondering if getting rid of the grunt is such a good thing. Grunts - while mundane - do have a purpose.

“Things are already setting in motion,” Hiei halfway purred to it. “Remember …”

I'm reading you loud and clear.

“Good.”

*-*-*

Hiei hated Gouki. He was disgusting with no real wiles within his thick skull. Nothing but a means toward an end. The only real use that he had really.

The Entity loathed him. Hiei could never really understand why - it would just quake with sudden loathing whenever he was in the vicinity. However, now, it seemed to be at least tolerating the Soul-Sucking Oni's. And no small wonder why. It had gotten a glimpse of Kurama, and it didn't want to look away.

He was always fighting with it whenever he just happened to look at her, or when she was just on the edge of his vision. However, Hiei was definitely not in the mood for another one of its flings.

Especially now that said fling was turning her back on them.

“What do you mean!? You can't seriously be thinking of leaving!”

She had gotten better with revealing her emotions, “Yes, I can. I'm going now.”

Hiei said, “These humans did something to your head. It's not screwed on right.”

The monstrous demon at his side grunted, “I don't care whether the bitch deserts us or not, but she better leave us the Mirror.” He turned to her, and outstretched his hand, “Give it here!”

“No, thanks,” Kurama said, “I need it just a bit longer.”

“Stupid bitch!”

“Great!” Came a new voice, which halted Gouki's fist swinging at Kurama, “You guys wipe each other out, and I'll take hold of those treasures for you.”

Company had come. Company that the Entity began to laugh at.

And what's gotten you so amused?

However, it did not answer with any words. It only continued on laughing.

He snorted softly. Sometimes the Entity could predict things about someone when it first laid Hiei's eyes upon them. Obviously, it had had a premonition about this strange young woman that it found amusing. Very amusing.

“How do you know about the Dark Treasures!?” Gouki demanded.

That's beside the point. We don't need to know how she knows about them. Hiei asked instead, flashing a glare at Gouki out of the corner of his eyes, “Who are you?”

“An introduction, huh?” She smiled cockily, and pointed at herself with her thumb, “I'm Urameshi Yuusuke! The Spirit World Detective that's going to take you little baddies to the Spirit World!”

Gouki laughed, “Ha! You? A Spirit World Detective?”

Hiei cracked a smirk at learning this as well, and suddenly the Entity stopped laughing, “So, you're Koenma's new lackey? Strange, I can't see why. You have no real Spirit Energy to be spoken of.”

Still, the Spirit World picked her over other more likely challenges, and she seems very confident. Perhaps, she's hiding her abilities.

He frowned at this. The Entity giving out advice was very rare indeed. Not paying heed to it might cause Hiei to find his face under a boot. He said to her then, "If you cause us any trouble, it'll show, but I doubt it."

Then Hiei leapt into the air to land in a tree, and flit away.

What were you laughing at anyway? Is she going to die an interesting death?

It'll be a kick, Hiei. I promise you that one.

He chuckled with it.

*-*-*

The nerve! That skanky fox demon turned a new leaf! She went sentimental over her twice-damned mother! And for what!? Scars! Scars on her mother's wrists! Wasting her life for the bitch that birthed her was a stupid idea. Besides, why bother? She could have gone back to the Demon World with no fuss. Humans live such short lives anyway. So, she dies a couple decades before her time. Big deal.

Hiei didn't respond to that, and instead turned to the Minion Demon that had been ensnared with the Jagan only about an hour ago. What could he have learned in such little time about his new obsession?

He had really been hoping to kill off Gouki himself, but the detective had taken care of that annoying problem for him. It seemed that she was more than what she appeared to be.

Maybe she'll prove to be an amusing finish to my plans. Kill off her to secure victory over the Spirit World.

It would be so simple, and Hiei just needed a way to lure the detective out, and to catch her off guard.

Afterwards, he'd find a way to pay back Youko Kurama. She had been such a help after all. He would have never gotten the Three Dark Treasures without her, and as such, it was only fair that he should find some way to pay for her services.

The small Minion Demon leapt onto Hiei's shoulder, and told him the location of Urameshi's school. Apparently, he thought that Hiei should see it for himself. He took away the bandana that covered his forehead to reveal the Jagan. The Entity showed him with its eye the school of Urameshi Yuusuke. She was walking with another girl about her age.

“That's Yukimura Keiko, Urameshi Yuusuke's best friend,” the demon murmured into his ear.

I see a chance for some fun before she goes down.

The Minion Demon quaked suddenly. With the Jagan open, it was more susceptible to broadcasting its messages to near by demons, and had a habit of terrifying demons of lesser ability and those that were closer to their instincts than others were. Hiei often wondered what was so scary about a voice from the Jagan.

Very true. And we want our dear detective to have some fun, don't we?

Who says anything about her having fun? I want to have a show. Show no mercy.

*-*-*

“Come on out, Hiei! I want a piece of you!” She shouted up into the rafters of the warehouse. That little punk was really pissing her off! What gall the guy had to go kidnap Keiko! “Come on, punk!”

Several footsteps resounded through the warehouse, and Yuusuke looked almost hopefully into the darkness, but was disappointed with the sight of a half dozen guys coming toward her.

“This isn't what I wanted, Hiei!” She flashed them with her fists with ease, “I don't want to waste my time with these goons of yours!”

Behind Yuusuke, she could hear Botan, “Yuusuke, these are just normal humans. I think that they're being controlled.” Yuusuke looked back at her, and raised an eyebrow, “But there're so many. I wonder if Hiei has a Jagan …”

“He does,” said a voice from the shadows, and Yuusuke twirled around to see as the short demon appeared from within the shadows.

His bandana was gone, and right smack dap in the middle of his forehead was a purple eye! Freaky …

The demon snorted, “All this trouble for an embarrassment? A reject from the pits of the Spirit World? They're getting sloppier than I first thought if they picked you for the job of Spirit Detective. What next? Is Koenma himself going to come down now? What a joke!”

Just behind him was Keiko - unconscious - being held up straight by two more mind-controlled humans.

“Keiko! Is she okay!?”

“Interesting,” Hiei said, “you looked at the Jagan, but you didn't come under my control. Maybe that's why the idiots in Spirit World blundered. They probably flipped to have you to show off.”

“Cut the crap! I got the treasures, now, hand over Keiko!”

He eyed the two remaining Dark Treasures in her hands, and disappointment flashed shortly through his eyes before it was gone. Yuusuke filed it away into her mind, and then forgot about it completely, “Fine then. It's only fair to play the game by the rules. And all players must follow the rules.”

The goods were exchanged quietly, and without any preamble.

Hiei said as he studied the Dark Treasures in his hands, “Finally! Getting rid of Kurama and Gouki would have been a messy job, but it seems as if you've taken care of those obstacles for me. I'm flattered, detective.”

“Flattered!? Idiot!” Yuusuke began to laugh, “Be flattered that I got the better of you!” He only stared at her as if she was beginning to mold. More than a bit frustrated by the lack of interest, Yuusuke charged at him, a fist ready, “The game's over! Now, I'll kick your ass!”

She swung, and was expecting the satisfying smack of her fist against his jaw, but while his body was still there, she felt nothing. Stunned, she stared at him until … he faded away! “What the hell!? Where'd he go!?”

“Over here, detective,” once again she found herself whirling around to see Hiei. “You're very slow.” He faked sympathy a moment, “Oh! Were you trying to hit me?”

What's with this guy? Three eyes, arrogant, and super-speed?

“An idiot am I?” Yuusuke's eyes widened as he sneered viciously at her. Until that moment, she had never seen a look of such utter hate, and loathing. She wanted to go find a nice rock to go die under just then. “Do you think that I didn't touch her!? Look at the girl's forehead!”

For a split moment, she had feared that he might have raped her, yet then he spoke of her forehead, and she obediently turned to look at Keiko. There in the middle of her forehead was a cut. It seemed a bit deep, but then she noticed that there was no blood, and that it was opening.

“An eye!?” She cried out.

Laughing, Hiei told Yuusuke, “I may have returned her, but soon she'll come back to me of her own free will!” He smirked, “She'll be my first slave. Isn't it an honor? Once that Jagan is completely open, she'll be under my command!”

“No!” Botan leapt toward Keiko pushing aside Yuusuke, and then placed her hands above the opening eye, her hands glowing, “I'll try to hold it still, Yuusuke, but you have to get Hiei!”

Another laugh from a demon that Yuusuke was quickly disliking, “Spirit Healing without holy water? Against demonification? Such a rare treat to watch. Soon she'll be devoid of Spirit Energy.” His red orbs met with Yuusuke's brown ones, “Once her Spirit Energy is gone, do you think that she'll just give up and quit, or take some of her own Life Energy? I'm willing to make a bet.” When Yuusuke didn't answer, Hiei smirked, “I see, so you don't want to play with me like that … The only thing that can save your friend now is the antidote within the hilt of this sword. If you can take it from me, I'll walk away. As if you could though! Your speed is pathetic! You couldn't catch me in-!”

Yuusuke got sick of his talking, and slammed her fist into his face. He flew back a moment, and then regained his balance, kneeling, a shocked expression adorning his face, and blood trickling from his mouth, “Who are you?”

“I'm the girl that's going to fuck you up for even thinking of touching Keiko.”

“Oh, you're that kind of human.” Standing up, he wiped the blood from his chin, but it slowly trickled out again, “A human that rises to meet their great and oppressing challenge. Their Spirit Energy increasing more and more. So irritating. I hate those humans the most. But then …” - he hefted the Conjuring Blade as if to show it off - “you didn't retrieve the Conjuring Blade. A fatal mistake in the end because now that I know what you are, I have my guard up. You'll never get the antidote to save your little friend, and then she'll be my slave.”

Yuusuke bristled, “So you say.”

“So I know!” The shout echoed throughout the warehouse as the demon vanished before her eyes, flitting around her at incredible speeds. “Just try to keep up, detective!”

Incredible speeds that were no longer so incredible looking. As it seemed that he was about to close in for an attack, Yuusuke punched him again. This time he was not so agile from being surprised, and landed on his side, the Conjuring Blade falling from his grip.

“Is that all you're going to do now? Flit around like a rat?” Yuusuke scowled at him as he righted himself again, “I want to go home now, Hiei, so let's just get on with it so I can kick your ass!”

Silence answered her, and Yuusuke blinked in surprise as the demon before her … began to strip!?

“Whoa, buddy! What the fuck do you think you're doing!?”

He snorted, throwing aside the cloak and shirt, “I never thought that I'd have to transform for a human.”

Transform!? “You don't have to do any - anything … for … no way …”

It was nothing more than a faint glow at first, but then his skin tinted green, and the white of his eyes were no longer white, but a yellow hue. His Jagan was practically radiating energy! Slits appeared over his body, looking almost like old scars, but then they widened, opening into several more eyes that are violet.

Somewhere else in the warehouse, she heard Botan screech, and turned only to see her and Keiko engulfed in a bright white light. She couldn't even see them within! Just that enormous ball of light.

“Keiko! Botan!”

“Her Jagan is reacting to me now. Unless your blue-haired friend can somehow magically procure some holy water, then the girl is as good as demonified.”

Yuusuke looked back at Hiei, and her eyes widened in alarm when his Jagan flashed brightly for a moment. Then he charged at her, his fist flying toward her face, but when she tried to pull away, she couldn't move. Not an inch, not a budge. She could barely grunt while he hit her repeatedly in a rapid succession.

Smirking, the pompous bastard only stopped for a moment to say, “Good, you can't move. Now, I'll have some fun!” After a while longer of making his point, Hiei turned away from her, and retrieved the Conjuring Blade, “Now that you know just how powerless you are against me, I'll finish you off.” Turning back to Yuusuke, he aimed his sword, “You put up a good fight, detective, and because I had fun, I'll kill you with one thrust.”

Said with no rage, no hatred. He really had fun! She thought to herself, more than a little excited. Maybe if I met you some other way, we could have beaten the crap out of each other every day, Hiei … but now, I can't move, and I can't dodge your attack.

“Die!” It sounded like a command and a plea at the same time as he thrust the Conjuring Blade.

However, something happened then that Yuusuke hadn't suspected at all. A body threw itself in front of Yuusuke, and took the Conjuring Blade in to the hilt.

“What!? Kurama, what are you doing!?” Hiei shouted, “Hold still before-! Grah!”

Suddenly, Yuusuke felt much more flexible, and she looked down at her limbs in amazement, “Hey! I can move!”

Kurama moved aside, and then Yuusuke saw that Hiei's Jagan had been splattered with the blood of Kurama, “Those other eyes just amplify his power, but now that I blinded it, you should have a chance now.”

"There's a sword in your gut, Kurama!"

She only smiled wearily, “I'm a fox demon, remember? Just take care of Hiei before his Jagan recovers.”

“"Kurama,” came the purr from behind the girls, and they twirled to meet Hiei's enraged eyes, “traitor.”

Scratch that. Until then, she had never seen a look of such hatred. The glare of before had been nothing to this. A candle flickering beside a roaring forest fire! Yuusuke was suddenly glad that it wasn't directed at her.

“Traitors must be punished,” he continued, beginning to stalk toward Kurama. His eyes narrowed dangerously, “I'll rip you to shreds for what you've done.”

Hurriedly - though she was terrified of his glare - Yuusuke stepped into his way, and he stopped abruptly, “Sorry, but have you forgotten already?”

She heard him curse, and mumble under his breath, talking to himself before he ran at her again, “This time, I'll kill you, detective!”

Punting her across the floor, her back slammed into the wall of the warehouse. Her eyes caught sight of something sitting near Hiei's discarded cloak, and her mind whirled with the possibility of surviving the encounter with Hiei. She shuffled to the side to become even with it, trying to ignore the taunting demon. Finally, Yuusuke stopped, and aimed at Hiei, summoning her Spirit Energy to her fingertip, “Spirit Gun!”

He just barely dodged, and then he smirked down on her, “Hell of an ace you had, detective, but you're out of Spirit Energy now.” Chuckling softly, he moved with her as she moved a bit down the wall, “I'm going to kill that traitor, Kurama, and those other little friends of yours, but first, I want you dead.”

As her Spirit Gun blast suddenly abruptly changed course, and came back, Yuusuke covered her eyes, the light becoming too much to handle.

She heard a zap-like sound, and then she opened her eyes to see Hiei collapse to his knees, weakly murmuring, "Who - who did that?" He looked behind himself, and hissed, “The Mirror … you” - his crimson eyes turned back to Yuusuke's and his skin closed over his other eyes - “anticipated my moves. You …” then he sighed softly, eyes drifting closed, and fell forward.

Holding up her foot, his face met the bottom of her shoe, and in that brief moment, Yuusuke thought that she heard laughter.

*-*-*

This is a different kind of rewrite. Before, I guess I never had the motivation to keep writing this, but now I figure that I can revisit this fandom a bit more often …

*-*-*