A Dream Come True

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Disclaimer: See Chapter One.
Warnings: See Chapter One.

Chapter 34: Race To Safety

The crowd continued to cheer as the man that had defeated the deadly Toguro had won. However, it seemed that Yusuke only stood up to make sure he won, because he began to wobble on his feet and began to fall back onto his knees. Kurama and Koenma rushed towards their leader while Hiei stays back with you and Kuwabara. You were still out cold, however you were alive.

Kurama caught Yusuke and held the injured man up.

"Yusuke! It's okay! It's over! You did it, you beat him! You're the champ!" Kurama said, shaking the injured boy lightly.

He could tell Yusuke was possibly in shock.

Yusuke's eyes were darken and looked out into nothingness as they held nothing in them.

"Am I....still alive..?" he asked, his voice soft as almost it being a whisper.

"Take it from me, you are!" Koenma said in a dry tone, yet it was his way of showing relief, "That last shot...incredible!"

Yusuke rested his hands on the ground and clenched them into fists.

"Aw man...this...this really sucks!" Yusuke growled out, having pushed Kurama away from him and now his hands and knees.

His three comrades looked at him with confused looks.

"I should've been able to do this without Kuwabara's sacrifice! I knew Toguro was going after (YFN)! She had those nightmares about it! I should have used that to help me defeat him! So what's this worth? Nothing!" Yusuke growled out shutting his eyes as tears began to from in them.

"Yusuke..." Kurama said with compassion and sadness.

"He died saving (YFN)! I should have stopped him, I should have been the one to protect her; but I couldn't even protect her from seeing Kuwabara's death....I was right here....I was right here damn it and I couldn't save either of them!" Yusuke screamed, tears pouring down his face.

However, as Yusuke continued to cry out his heart and soul, he didn't notice Kuwabara's body stir. Kuwabara gently shifted so you weren't awoken yet were resting comfy on the ground. Kuwabara jumped onto his feet and began to dance what looked to be like a jig of some sort. Yusuke continued to cry however; he didn't for too much longer as his eyes snapped opened from his leaning over position. A 'wtf' came across his face as he turned it to look up.

"Yo! How's it goin?!" Kuwabara asked with a 'tada' look to his face as he kicked the air showing off how much alive and well he was.

Yusuke's face was a mess as his tears were now stuck in his eyes, which were as wide as saucers. His mouth was half open as if he was caught in the middle of a moaning sob but was stopped by Kuwabara not dead but jumping around alive.

Kurama looked a bit frustrated as if he had been trying to tell Yusuke but he just wouldn't listen.

"The thing is Yusuke Kuwabara never died." Kurama said, breaking the news to Yusuke; who didn't seem to be taking it too well.

He turned to look at Kurama; the snot and tears still pouring down his face, which now looked more, pissed off then shocked.

"Now, calm down and listen to me." Kurama said with his hands in a defensive manor in front of him.

"At that moment..." Kurama began.

(Flashback)

Kurama rushed to Kuwabara's side and grabbed onto his fallen comrade.

"KUWABARA!!" he shouted.

However, he was more than surprised that Kuwabara wasn't dead! Especially since Toguro's fingers appeared to have strike by Kuwabara's heart! It was a miracle for Kuwabara to just grind his teeth at Kurama.

"Hurts...he missed my heart." Kuwabara whispered, as he couldn't talk any louder then a whisper even if he wanted to.

"Don't say anything, okay?" Kuwabara asked, his eyes starting to glaze over a bit from trying to hold on a little longer.

"Yusuke needs....a good kick in the pants! He shoulda...beat this guy before he...went after (YFN)..." Kuwabara said before passing out.


(End of Flashback)

Yusuke stared off, pissed, as his tears seemed to be caught where they were as they hung from his eyes.

"You didn't tell me? You...you all tricked me?" Yusuke said, sounding pissed off that he was out of the loop.

"Why not?" Hiei said with a snort, "you had to focus...and it helped."

Hiei looked off to the side as he continued to talk.

"It's like you said, you should've been able to do it without suck motivation. And to have (YFN) to suffer..." Hiei stopped as he realized Yusuke wasn't where he once was.

"Uh...Hiei's here..." Kurama said, from his spot on the ground where he was sitting next to Yusuke only a few moments ago; pointing at Hiei who was now standing next to Kurama.

"So you JERKED me around again! You're DEAD Kuwabara!!" Yusuke growled as he was beating up Kuwabara in a cloud of dust.

"Still got fight in ya, eh?" Kuwabara shrieked from within the dust ball.

It was this racket that caused you to stir. This movement had caught Kurama and Hiei's attention.

"Take it easy." Koenma said, leaning down and helping you up on your feet.

You rubbed your eyes with your free hand and blinked up at Koenma. Koenma smiled down at you.

"Did...did Yusuke win?" You asked, as your brain started to become 'un-fuzzled'.

Koenma smiled and nodded.

You let out a relieved breathe however, your eyes widened as the picture of Kuwabara on the ground, dead; flashed before your eyes. You pushed Koenma away and wobbled forward.

"Wait! What about Kuwa-chan!" you said, turning to look at Kurama.

Kurama gave you an awkward smile before pointing to your left. You blink before turning to find the dust ball.

"Hey! Watch it! That smarts!" came Kuwabara's voice from with in.

Your eyes widened as happiness filled you to the brim.

"KUWABARA!!"

Yusuke stopped in the middle of his beating and turned around. Kuwabara wasn't really on his two feet to begin with and fell flat on his face. He grumbled before looking up to see you standing there with wide eyes.

"YOU'RE ALIVE!!!" you shouted before you pounced on the still bruised teen.

"YOU IDIOT!! DON'T YOU EVER DO THAT TO ME AGAIN!! YOU GAVE ME A FREAKIN' HEART ATTACK YA JERK!!" you growled out, shaking the poor boy back and forth, causing Kuwabara's eyes to become swirls.

Yusuke was laughing and cheering his little sis on; as he should in your opinion; before he realized something.

"Hmm..."

"So you better, promise!" you said, finishing a long rant of how much Kuwabara was a jerk and that if he valued his life he wouldn't pull something like that against with you.

Kuwabara continued to have swirly eyes but seemed to be able to nod. You smiled, happy to have come to an understanding. However, Yusuke picked the poor beaten boy up by his beaten head.

"Okay guys, out with it. Why didn't he die?" Yusuke asked, looking seriously around at the rest of the group; who were sweat dropping and a bit amused by how Kuwabara was reaping what he had sowed from fooling you and Yusuke.

You stood up and pulled Kuwabara away from Yusuke who looked at you.

"You sound like you're upset that he didn't die." you snorted at him.

Yusuke shook his head.

"It's just kinda weird." he said with a shrug of his shoulders.

You all turned to look at the corpse of the man who should have killed Kuwabara.

"He was going to kill (YFN), so when Kuwabara jumped in front, he probably underestimated both (YFN)'s and Kuwabara's defenses, which are unusually strong." Hiei said, actually compliment both you and Kuwabara.

"He's certainly stubborn." Hiei added.

"Nuthin' wrong with that!" Kuwabara said with a frustrated look.

Even giving him a complement, Hiei had to throw in a side remark. You were looking at Toguro, not too sure if that was the reason.

"I don't think Toguro intended to kill anyone. He just wanted to make the most of this day...the day he finally faced his ultimate challenger." Kurama said.

His words seemed to shed a new light on the entire situation.

"However it was, I..." Koenma started however, he was interrupted by the ground beneath you all shaking violently.

You grabbed onto Kuwabara who grabbed you back.

"What they hell?" You said looking around.

Parts of the building began to break from the structure and come down onto you all and the spectators.

"The stadium's collapsing!!" Koenma shouted, his eyes wide.

""But why?!" Kurama said, confused as to what could have caused the stadium to break apart as it was.

You all looked at the other side of the arena. There stood Sakyo, holding up a little remote control device.

"Kurama's pegged it, I think." Sakyo said, setting the device to go off in 5 minutes and 19 seconds.

"I haven't known Toguro long, but I've seen hints of weakness. Now it comes to this--I lose." Sakyo said, putting the device in his pocket.

"I didn't give those hints sufficient consideration...to my cost. This arena will soon self-destruct taking me and my ambition with it."

After these words, the demons that were still alive went into a panic! They ran around screaming and trying to find a way out before they were blown up. You looked at Sakyo as if he was nuts; as did the rest of your group.

"Whoa!" Yusuke shouted as a bunch of demons rushed back you all towards possibly 'exits'.

"Plenty of survivors, I see!" growled Kuwabara, feeling himself being pushed around.

You were shoved and pushed into Hiei who glared at the person who pushed you. You sighed and were about to say something when you were interupted.

'OH NO!! YUKINA AND MY SISTER! THEY'RE UP THERE!" Kuwabara shouted before making a hole through the crowds of demons; straight to the area where the girls were.

YOu sweat dropped and sighed at Kuwabara's outburst.

"OUTTA MY WAY, YA PUGUGLIES!!" Kuwabara screamed, making you shake your head however a small smile crossed your lips.

"He's impossible." Hiei said with a snort.

"But effective. Let's go." Kurama said, heading up the 'pathway' Kuwabara had made.

Koenma was helping Yusuke, however he stopped to look back at Toguro's body.

"See ya around."

You all headed up close behind Kuwabara, hoping that the girls were all right.

"A tunnel unleashing doom on humanity...I would like to have seen it. Oh well, such is life.' Sakyo thought before he began to laugh insanely as he was crushed beneath the stadium's ceiling.


With the girls...

"What's he hafta go and blow the place up for?!" growled Astuko, "Better scram! Anybody see an exit?!"

Shizuru is looking around, still smoking her cigarette; trying to see where they should go. Botan is still leaning next to the zoned out Keiko.

"KEIKO!! EARTH TO KEIKO! SNAP OUT OF IT, GIRL!!" Botan shouts shaking the zoned out girl a bit.

By this time, Kuwabara; who was way ahead of the rest of you got to the girls first.

"Yukina! Are you all alright?!" he shouted as he came closing up to the group and fast.

Botan turned around, worry yet a bit of relief in her face.

"Yes! But Keiko…she's completely out of it!" Yukina said, worry in her voice.

A crack was heard and soon part of the wall next to Yukina began to move. The rest of the girls had looked over when they heard Kuwabara's voice; however they looked on now in pure horror as the wall began to shift and head straight for Yukina. You had reached Kuwabara by this point and stood there next to him with wide eyes. It felt like slow motion as you watched the block of stone fall and crash right where Yukina was standing just a few minutes ago.

"YUKINA!!" Kuwabara shouted, as did you at the same time.

However, when the two of you got closer to the rubble, there was Hiei holding Yukina. Hiei appeared different; his face showed a bit more emotion; or it did to you as you saw it was relaxed. It was obvious at seeing the two together; like this especially that they were related in some sort of way. However, the 'cute' moment as you thought it was ended when Hiei's face went back to its unreadable look as he looked away.

"Move out. Got it?" he said to Yukina yet not looking at her.

She nodded, as she looked at the man who just saved her in awe.

"O-okay...thank you, you s-saved..." Yukina began however; the rest of the group heading up from behind you and Kuwabara interrupted her.

Kuwabara looked to be relieved and not really seeming to care that Hiei was still sort of holding onto Yukina. Your heart skipped a beat at this, however you shook the thought out of your head.

'He's just happy she's safe, that's all.' you said to yourself.

"This way! Hurry!" Yusuke shouted from his spot at Koenma's side.

"Keiko's still weirded-out! She won't get up!" Botan said looking ready to give up and possibly pass out like Keiko.

"She won't eh?" Yusuke said with a frustrated grunt and look.

He pushed away from Koenma and sat in front of Keiko. You sweat dropped, you knew this wouldn't end up well; and you didn't even have to watch this part to know it wouldn't. Yusuke grabbed the front of Keiko's shirt and pulled her close to his face.

"Hey! Keiko! Get a grip! Y'hear me?! It's all over! I won! I beat 'em!" Yusuke shouted.

No response.

Yusuke growled and brought his hand back.

"Oh for the luvva....!" He said before slapping the poor zoned out Keiko in the face.

"Wakey, wakey....ya little pest!!"

It appeared that the slaps were taking effect as with each one, Keiko was waking up.

"Ow...ow...Hey...ow...! THAT HURT!!" Keiko shouted, finally being knocked back to reality; however she severely bitch slapped Yusuke in the back of his head.

She had hit him so hard his head slammed face first into the ground. You winced at how much that had to hurt.

Keiko blinked and it appeared she realized what she did and put her hand to her mouth.

"Ooops...um...wha...." she started.

"Yeesh...Now Yusuke's watchin the birdies..." Kuwabara said with a grim look mixed with 'that gotta hurt'.

You nodded.

"Or he's seeing stars; I wouldn't be surprised if he's seeing both." you said, earning a nod from Kuwabara.

There was another rumbling through out the stadium. If you all didn't get out soon you'd be covered in rubble. Keiko pulled Yusuke off the ground and pulled him onto his back. You couldn't help but be amazed that the girl was strong enough to run and carry the unconscious Yusuke on her back. Although, she was strong enough to knock him out cold. You couldn't ponder this or any other thought any further as the ground shook again. That was your sign to get the hell outta that building. You ended up getting a piggyback ride by Kuwabara as, you tripped and skinned your knee on the way out of the building. You would have protested if it wasn't the fact, there was no time to do so.

Once you were all out and running away; as far away, from the building as possible, it was crumbling to the ground behind you.

"Feh! It's always something with this guy!" Kuwabara growled, surprised Yusuke was still knocked out and was being carried by a pissed looking Keiko.

Once you were all far enough away, you turned to watch the building collapse into nothing. It was as if there wasn't a building there to begin with.

"So....that's it." Kuwabara said, breaking the silence that lasted for a few moments.

He was still carrying you piggyback.

"Yeah...game, set, and match." Yusuke said.

"Awake, eh?" Keiko said, making Yusuke gulp as he smiled a perverted grin.

Apparently, he might have been faking being unconscious at the least half way through everyone's escaping.

"Then OFF, ya free-loader!" Keiko said, flipping Yusuke off her back and causing him to land on his head.

You winched but giggled at the scene. You could feel the vibrations of Kuwabara's only laughter. You sighed but smiled as you were enjoying the scene that was going on.

"Ow!" Yusuke shouted from his spot on the ground, a huge bump on his head as he was rubbing it with his hand. "You're tryin' t' snuff me!"

"Hah! AS IF, you blockhead!" snorted and huffed Keiko.

"I oughta...!" growled Yusuke, now on his feet.

Keiko stood her ground and glared, however, being tht Koenma stood in front of her and Kurama was holding Yusuke back, you felt she was safe to keep glaring at the pissed off boy.

"Now, now, don't you two get started." said Kurama with a sweat drop.

"Yes, save it for later." Koenma said with a glare that showed he wasn't in the mood for this.

"WHOA!!!"

This shout from Yusuke's mother, caused Yusuke, you, and Kuwabara to all jump before falling over; Koenma already landing hard on the ground from the randomness of the yell.

"What about the prize?" Astuko said, her finger in the air as she began to use a calmer voice.

You dusted yourself off and stood next to Kuwabara who was also dusting himself off.

"Each winner gets one wish, right?! So how are any of you gonna collect on that now, huh?!" she asked, being the only one to have remembered it seemed.

"Shoot! I'd forgotten!" Kuwabara said.

"I think we all did." you said nodding and feeling like an idiot that you had forgotten about that too.

"Figures. Any ideas, anyone?" Astuko asked looking around at everyone.

She seemed to be the only one really interested in the 'prize' and she wasn't even a contender.

"There's just one thing we all want..." Yusuke started from his spot on the ground.

Everyone looked sad as an image of Genkai appeared in all of your heads.

"But no wish can bring it about..." Yusuke finished.

He looked up towards the sky as you leaned next to him and looked up with him.

"All that matters is--we won!! HEAR THAT, GENAKI?! WE WON!!" Yusuke shouted, his voice reaching towards the sky.

(End of Chapter 34)