Anger And Tears, Happiness And Joy

Disclaimer: I DO NOT own Yu Yu Hakusho or any of the other shows mentioned in this or any other chapter, nor do I own any of it's characters. I would be making a lot of money if I did, and I'm not.

CHAPTER 4

“Good evening, Ladies and Gentlemen, and welcome to this year’s Dark Tournament!” said the young announcer from the center of the arena. “I’m back in the spotlight! My name is Koto, you’re lovely announcer!”

“You know, she’s very nice,” Keiko said. “It’s nice to see her again.”

“You’re right, Keiko,” Botan said. “She IS nice.”

“Botan, Keiko, you two should probably focus on the fight,” said. “Not spend your time gawking at the pretty girls together.”

“Aw, give her a break, babe?” Yusuke said. “She’s been training for the last three months so she can help out our team if she needs to."

"You didn't have to stick up for me, Yusuke," Keiko said. "But thanks. Kurama's right, I do need to focus."

"Sure."

Around the corner, a young monk and silver-haired demon were listening to the team's conversation. “I sense tension in Team Urameshi,” said the demon. “If they keep this up the whole time, they’ll be easy to beat.”

“They are a formidable enemy in the ring,” the monk said. “InuYasha, you must be careful and not allow yourself to lose yourself. The Tetsusaiga must be at your side at all times, or you’ll do much more than kill your opponent.”

“Don’t worry, Miroku,” he said. “What’s really going to be interesting is if Jin and Yusuke Urameshi have to fight each other again. As soon as the boats landed and they saw each other, they were inseparable. Since that guy had an accident a few months ago, he remembered that he was the son of Demon King.”

“Then I assume he remembers all the attacks that he learned as such,” Miroku said. “Unless his reborn body doesn’t have such capabilities for such advanced attacks.”

"This should be interesting," he said.

“May I please have the teams come out to the ring, starting with last year’s champions, Team Urameshi!” Koto said excitedly as the teams began to enter the stadium. “As you remember, this team was the guest team last year, and not expected to make it to the winner’s circle. It has since been discovered that the young team leader is, in fact, the reincarnation of the son of Demon King, and believe it or not, Kazuma Kuwabara is the reincarnation of His Majesty, the King of Demons!”

“What?!” Touya cried. “That GOOF is the king of Demons?!”

“What are those two team leaders doing?” called out one of the demons from the audience. Almost everyone, including the other teams, looked back at Jin and Yusuke, who were holding hands. Before anyone could say anything, Yusuke grabbed the microphone from Koto.

“Now, everyone listen to me!” Yusuke yelled. “Show these people some respect! We may be competing and possibly fighting to the death, but by the Demon Kingdom, I swear that I will personally KILL anyone who makes this tournament into a cheat! That includes the members of the tournament committee! I came here every year with my father when we were in power in Demon World, and up until last year, it’s always been an honest fight! Let’s keep it that way!”

“My goodness,” Kagome said to her friends in the stands. “That guy’s the Demon prince?”

“Apparently,” Shippou said. “Only the royal family of demons is ever allowed to swear by the demon kingdom, except on pain of death.”

“You’re right,” Sango said. Looking around, she became uncomfortable without her demon-slayer weapons. But she had agreed to leave them at home during the tournament. This was the first time any of them had been involved in the dark tournament, and it was only because Jin had been looking for teammates that Miroku and InuYasha had agreed to fight.

“Kagome?” said a familiar voice from behind them. “What are you doing here?”

“I could ask you the same question, Keiko,” Kagome said. “Two of our friends are on Team Jin. What about you?”

“I’m an alternate fighter for Yusuke’s team,” she said.

“Wow...” Kagome said.

“Let’s get this thing started, people!” Koto said, taking back the mic. “Our first team, Team Jin, will fight this year’s guests, Team Sesshoumaru!”

“What?!” InuYasha cried. “My brother is the leader of a fighting team?!”

“Well, little brother, I never expected you to join a team on your own,” Sesshoumaru sneered.

“At least I don’t have to worry about my entire team being killed if we lose,” they younger brother chuckled. “You were forced to fight.”

“As always, the method of fighting will be decided by the leader of each team,” Koto said. “If it cannot be decided upon, the team will default to one-on-one!”

“The decision is yours,” Shesshoumaru said. “It won’t matter what style of fighting we use, because we will win.”

“One on one sounds fine by me, Mutt-face,” Jin said. Kouga, who was in the opposite team, chuckled. Had InuYasha taught him that?

“And we have a decision!” Koto said. “The first two teams will fight one-on-one! Best out of five advances to the next round!”

“I’m fighting first,” InuYasha said, walking back up the stairs. “Who wants to eat my blade?”

“I will fight you,” Kouga said. “My sword will split your skull!”

“This is boring,” Yusuke said, yawning. “My team won’t even be fighting today. After your team wins, can we please go back to the hotel?”

Jin smiled. He loved it when his Demon Prince begged for his attention. “Don’t worry, Your ‘ighness. We’ll be outta here in no time.”

“Go into the training room, Son,” Kuwabara suggested. “Lock the door, and we’ll tell you when it’s your turn to fight.”

“You don‘t mind, do you, love?” Yusuke asked. Kurama shook his head with a smile, watching with a slight laugh as Yusuke went running with Jin into the indoor areas of the stadium.

“Have you noticed that ever since Jin came, Yusuke spends most of his time with him instead you?” Spike said. Kurama chuckled. Of course he noticed. There had been few nights of passion without the Scottish redhead joining them. Kurama was actually beginning to grow tired of Jin’s constant presence in HIS boyfriend’s life, but as long as his prince was happy, Kurama was content with the love he was getting.
********************************************************************
“And the winner by ring-out is InuYasha!” Koto called out. “Will the next fighters please approach the ring!”

“Looks like it’s my turn,” Touya said.

“Wait, Touya,” Miroku said. “I’ll go.”

“Be careful out there,” InuYasha said. “Kouga was one of their weaker fighters. Sesshoumaru and Nephrite are both going to be tough to beat, but Malachite and that female fighter, Zoicite, are both going to be the worst.”

“Did I hear my name?” Zoicite said, jumping up into the ring. “I’m here because I have to be, not because I want to be, but there’s no way in hell I’m going to lose!”

“I wouldn’t count on that, Bitch,” Miroku said.

“It’s been decided!” Koto said. “From Team Jin, Miruku, and from Team Sesshoumaru, Zoicite! And begin!”

“Kick that guy’s ass out of the ring,” Malachite ordered. Zoicite nodded, forming an ice crystal in her hand. “Zoicite always uses fire and ice in her attacks. She’s a strong fighter, but she lets her arrogance get in the way sometimes.”

“You’re a very beautiful girl,” Miroku said to Zoicite. “Perhaps after the tournament, if I don’t kill you here, we can spend some time together.”

“So the rumors about you are true then?” Zoicite said. “You really are a pervert!”

“Maybe I am, but I was simply making an offer,” he said. “Now, what do you say we get this thing started.” He grasped the beads that kept his wind tunnel at bay, and she extended her powers to make her sword longer. “Miss Koto, I would suggest you move. I wouldn’t want a beautiful fox like you getting sucked in by my wind tunnel.”

“Oh, uh, right,” Koto said, scurrying to the edge of the ring. “Apparently, folks, Miroku’s signature move is called the Wind Tunnel!”

“He’s really gonna use it!” Sango gasped. “He’ll suck in half the stadium!”

“Don’t do it, Miroku!” InuYasha barked. “I’ve seen this broad fight, and she won’t be affected by your wind tunnel!”

“What?” Miroku cried.

“Zoi!” Zoicite called out, sending sharp-edged rose petals at her opponent. “Rose Tornado!” Miroku cried out, receiving deep cuts all over his body, his robe nearly ripped off his body. “You’re going to have a hard time dodging in that tattered robe, monk. Why don’t you just let me kill you?”

“I don’t think so,” he said. “By the holy powers, I banish you from this place!” Pointing his staff toward her, he began to chant in Japanese. “GO!” While it didn’t make her disappear, the attack did knock her out of the ring.

“I’m going to take the count!” Koto said.

“Like I said, Zoicite, if you ever want to spend time together, you know where to find me,” he said. As Koto began to count, Zoicite began to stir, but was having trouble making any progress in getting up or moving into the ring. Upon seeing this, Malachite growled at the monk. “And what, may I ask, Sir, is your problem?”

“You nearly killed my girlfriend!” Malachite bellowed.

“She knew the risks of fighting me,” Miroku said, then turned to Koto. “And as for you, Miss Koto, I was wondering if you’d like to go somewhere with me after you get off of work...”

“Ooh, a gentleman...” Koto said flirtatiously. “Just tell me where to meet you.”

“Oh my gosh,” Sango said. “I don’t believe this! She’s actually going for him?”

“Well, there’s a first time for everything,” Shippou said.

Walking to Zoicite’s side, Malachite lifted her. “Zoicite, are you all right?

“I’ll be fine,” she growled. “I’m gonna kill that monk, even if I have to strangle him!!”
********************************************************************
“Good job, Miroku,” Jin grunted, shifting some of his attention from Yusuke’s hot passion to the cheers and the speakers above them. ‘Great. Only one more fight before our team advances. I may not even have to fight.’

“Will you stop thinking about the damn fight, and get back to me?” Yusuke said, looking up at Jin, who’s eyes were staring intently at the speakers above them. “They’ll manage without you.”

“Sorry, Your Majesty,” Jin said, sheepishly looking into his prince’s eyes. “But this is gonna have to wait.”

“For once, you don’t seem to have time for me,” Yusuke said, sitting up. “You’ve burst in on Kurama and me more times than I can count, and I finally want some real privacy with just you, and you’re more interested in the fighting.”

“Begging your pardon, Yusuke,” he said. “But our relationship has always been just the occasional lover kind. We’re not boyfriends. I have the right to say no if I want, even if you are the prince!”

“Get out!” Yusuke said angrily. “I look forward to fighting you in the tournament, cause I’m gonna rip your damn head off and shove it up your arrogant and dare I say tight little ass!”

“Your Majesty, please, be reasonable here!”

“REASONABLE?!” he bellowed. “I asked you for some private time with me, and first you’re all for it, and now you’ve turned me away! That’s just plain not nice! Now, do as you’re told to, and get out of my sight!”

“I’m sorry, Yusuke,” Jin whispered, getting up, putting his clothes back on, and reaching for the doorknob. “Please know, Your Highness, I don’t want to fight you again.”

“Just go,” Yusuke said. “We’re friends now, but nothing more.”

“I understand,” he said, bowing. “Goodbye, M’lord.” Yusuke watched him leave the room, then sat down. Shortly after Jin left, Kurama came in.

“Hey, love,” the red-head said. “Are you okay?”

“I broke up with Jin, but I’m fine,” Yusuke said, smiling. “Let’s go back to the hotel. I don’t want to be here anymore.”

“That’s fine,” Kurama said.
********************************************************************
Already back at the hotel by now, Kuwabara was thinking about the things that had happened in the last few years. First, he’d lost his rival in a car accident, and had nearly lost his mind. After Yusuke had returned from the dead, the two of them had gone to the Genkai Tournament, where both of them had nearly been killed by Rando. Six months later, after Yusuke had completed training under the old psychic, the two boys had fought the four Saint Beasts alongside Kurama and Hiei in the demon city, later fighting their way into a crime lord’s mountain stronghold to rescue Hiei’s sister, Yukina.

The time that he’d been able to spend with Yukina had been bliss. But the fact that she was an apparition mean that she couldn’t stay in the human world very long at a time. Even though they loved each other, Kuwabara knew he would never truly have her unless he himself became a demon again, for good. But because of someone else’s friendship, that was something he would not do. Kuwabara thought of last year’s tournament, when he himself had nearly been killed by Toguro. This was before he’d remembered his life as Demon King. When Toguro had chosen to “kill” him, he had willingly gone down in order to ensure the safety of the man and woman he loved, as well as that of his teammates.

“Hello, Father,” Yusuke said, walking into the hotel room, startling the taller man.

“Yusuke, don’t call me that,” Kuwabara said. “How many times I gotta tell you that?!”

“Sorry, Kuwabara,” Yusuke said.

“I’m glad no one else is here, because I want to talk to you.” Yusuke immediately sat down on the couch, puzzled by his father’s sudden urge to chat, which had been very unusual in the old days. “I know it may seem odd to you, but I’ve done a lot of changing since my death and rebirth twenty years ago.”

“What are you getting at, Kuwabara?” Yusuke asked.

“I feel very strongly and deeply for you, Yusuke,” he said. “Our bodies are very different now, and I... I never thought I’d say this, but I... WANT you. What I feel is so strong that I’d die for you in an instant, even if it meant it would only prolong your life, and not completely save it. If I had it to do over again, I’d let Toguro actually kill me to save you.”

“I was absolutely devastated when I thought that bastard had killed you,” Yusuke said, moving closer to Kuwabara. “That’s why I had no choice but to kill him. I cared so much about you that I just couldn’t let him get away with it.”

“My feelings haven’t changed,” he said, looking directly into Yusuke’s eyes. “I doubt I’ll ever get a chance to do more than tell you how I feel because of the other guys, but you have to know that I love you. There, I’ve said it.”

“Yes, you have,” Yusuke said. “I would love to give you a place in my bed, because the truth is, before I became aware of Hiei’s place in my past, I was very close to asking you as a bedmate to me, and Kurama even agreed. Kurama said that he would leave us alone whenever I wanted. My question is, what about Yukina?”

“She knows,” Kuwabara said. “She’s all right with it.”

“That sounds like her,” Yusuke said, smiling. Using this as his cue, Kuwabara leaned in close and softly touched his lips to Yusuke’s. A soft moan was heard from the smaller man, and the red-head smiled against the kiss. “Kazuma…”

“Beautiful,” Kuwabara said. “You’re beautiful, Yusuke.”

“Thank you,” he said. ********************************************************************
“I’m getting married,” Yusuke said, holding Kuwabara in his arms after a wonderful first time together. “But Kurama has already agreed to allow you to join us between now and then.”

“I don’t care if I’m never able to be with you again,” Kuwabara said. “Or if this goes on forever. I just want you to be absolutely happy, and I knew that this would make you happy.”

“Did I make you happy enough?” Yusuke said, his eyes narrowing lovingly as he gazed into his lover’s eyes.

“Yes, tremendously happy, Yusuke,” he said, kissing him. There was a knock on the door, followed by a sweet-smelling aroma wafting through the door, signaling that Kurama was desiring entrance.

“Shall we let him join us?” Yusuke said.

“Actually, Yusuke, I’ll let you have some privacy with him,” Kazuma said. “He IS your fiancée, after all.”

“Come in, Yoko,” Yusuke called. When Kurama entered the room, he smiled at the sweet display. Grabbing his pants from the side of the bed quickly, Kuwabara quickly dressed and then moved to stand before Kurama.

“Thank you for sharing him with me, Kurama,” Kuwabara said. “I can’t expect this to happen again, and I understand why.”

“Thank you for your incredible understanding, Kuwabara,” Kurama said. He very quickly drew him into his arms, embracing him firmly, whispering in Kuwabara‘s ear so that Yusuke wouldn‘t hear him. “My King, I only wish that you and I could’ve had more.” Kuwabara’s eyes closed, Raizen relishing in the scent of the Yoko who had enflamed his passions after the fox had found him in the wilderness of Demon World a few years after Yusuke’s death. They had spent a few days together before they had been separated, shortly before Yoko Kurama’s escape into the Human World.

“And I as well, Kurama,” Raizen spoke through Kuwabara, almost inaudibly. They stepped back from each other, and then both looked at Yusuke.

“See you later, old friend,” Kuwabara said, smiling sweetly at the dark-haired boy. Yusuke quietly waved to him, a soft smile on his lips as well.