(New and improved revised version…it prob. Doesn't have to many noticeable changes.)
I own not a thing! First thing-MAJOR SPOILERS ON THIS STORY SO TURN AROUND NOW IF YOU DUN WANNA KNOW! Okay well we have all these arcs that really go into Yusuke, Kurama, Hiei, and even random characters. We sorta have a bit of a Kuwabara arc-but you can't really call it that. We don't have one that goes into Kuwabara's past and all that jazz-So I decided, hey I'm writing it! So here we go!
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EPISODE ONE: KUWABARA'S PARENTS
Kuwabara sat next to his best friend, the sun setting and turning the beach sand the two young men sat on a pleasant pink. Kuwabara glance back at Keiko who was chatting with Genkai, and then with a coy little grin he slyly whispered to his best friend, "So how was the kiss?"
Yusuke turned red and hit Kuwabara's arm, not that Kuwabara seemed to care. He was too busy laughing at Yusuke's expense. "Shut up Kuwabara!" Yusuke snapped face flushed red. Kuwabara smiled, and then after a moment said, "So Hiei's with this Mukuro girl?" Yusuke nodded, "I think he likes her."
Kuwabara snorted, "Him capable of love? That's surprising." Yusuke laughed, "Hey now...Hiei's not all that bad Kuwabara, and you know it!" Kuwabara ignored Yusuke and rolled his shoulders popping them, "If Hiei actually can love then he needs to tell Yukina he's her brother."
Yusuke stared at his best friend stiffly asking, "You...you know about that?"
"Give me a little credit, I may be dumb, but not that dumb!" Kuwabara snapped before smiling, "Besides, I can see the strings." Yusuke looked at him. "What?" Kuwabara smiled, "You know that legend that says that your soul mate has a red string on their finger, and it ties you to them? It's not a legend, it's true, I can see them all! But there's not just one string there are others…Black for death, White for birth, or in your case re-birth, Blue for siblings, Red of course for love, Orange for courage, Gray for fear or sorrow, Brown for hate, Yellow for happiness, Silver for religion, and Gold for sacrifice."
As Kuwabara listed these things he began to count off his fingers eying each and every last one of his digits. It was as if he was turning his hands over and willing these strings to show themselves glittering and dangling from his fingers. To Yusuke it sounded all a little far-fetched, but Yusuke trusted Kuwabara, and knew Kuwabara wouldn't lie to him, especially not when he was being this serious. Besides…Kuwabara was a terrible liar.
Yusuke stared at his best friend raising a dark brow, "You can really see these strings?" Kuwabara nodded, "You can have up to ten, that's how many colors there are Urameshi. Some of them, such as the sacrifice one, and the fear or sorrow one, can disappear and go as it pleases." Kuwabara held out his hand, and took his little finger, "This has a red string." He moved to the next one, "This has a white string, everyone has the two strings no matter what." He moved to his middle finger, "This one has the blue string." He moved to the other finger, "And this one currently has the yellow string, happiness." Kuwabara paused taking a moment to gaze at the form of his best friend next to him, "I'm really glad you're back Urameshi."
Yusuke smiled, and cleared his throat feeling flattered at the pure honesty in his best friend's voice, "Glad to see you alive and well! I thought you'd be dead going on missions all by yourself." Kuwabara shrugged ignoring Yusuke's latter comment and going on to finish his explanation of the strings, "I've had all the colors on my fingers at least once, well not the black string...you had the black string once."
"You almost had it though didn't you," Yusuke whispered in a grave voice. Kuwabara looked at Yusuke who had his head bowed slightly eyes cast to the ground. He looked angry, and clenched his fist as he continued, "With Toguro…and Sea Man…because of them you almost had-" Kuwabara laughed interrupting Yusuke. The dark haired youth turned to look at his best friend snapping, "Hey you're not supposed to laugh!" Kuwabara smiled, "There is no such thing as, "almost," for these strings Yusuke. You either get the string or you don't. And I've never died…so I've never almost had the string. I'm Kazuma Kuwabara, the man…I'm not gonna die for a long time."
Yusuke relaxed a little bit and smiled at the easiness in Kuwabara's voice. It made him feel better to hear Kuwabara sound so confident about his fate. He finally held out his hand, "What are mine?" Kuwabara reached out taking Yusuke's hand pulling it a little closer to his face. Yusuke was a little surprised to see how seriously Kuwabara was staring at the hand. Finally Kuwabara smiled and said, "The red and white strings of course, and yellow." And with that said Kuwabara released Yusuke's hand smiling brightly, and Yusuke had no choice but to return the contagious grin.
Yusuke sighed lying on his back, "That's cool Kuwabara. You got some talent." Kuwabara smiled, "Yeah sorta. Koenma asked me to help Genkai with powers like mine, he said I have the strongest spirit awareness as of now." Yusuke looked at him stunned, "Even more than Genkai?" Kuwabara nodded sheepishly and admitted, "Yeah, my abilities really have grown, given all the shit we've been through." Yusuke nodded, "True."
Kuwabara smiled as Kurama came and took a seat next to them. "Hey Kurama. Welcome to the party!" Yusuke said with a yawn. "Yes I can see you're having crazy fun," Kurama chuckled sarcastically. Yusuke smirked winking at the fox coming right back with, "Don't you know it."
The sun set over the ocean as the three continued to talk, about all that happened to each other while they were gone. "Stupid Hiei should've stopped by. I would have liked to see him and his girlfriend!" Kuwabara said sounding annoyed. "Ah he's working for her now, he'll probably show up. He missed you, I know he did!" Yusuke said chuckling, "He even said he missed you once!" Kuwabara rolled his eyes, "Right...and I actually believe that!"
The conversation was stopped when a cry from Keiko filled the air. Instantly Yusuke was at her side, Kuwabara and Kurama following. Koenma stood close to Boeton, and Genkai stood ahead of the group. Her eyes looked around the area, as wild wind picked up. Kuwabara took Yukina in his arms, the small woman looking up at him. "Stay with me Yukina-chan...Master Genkai do you feel that?" Genkai nodded, and angrily cried, "SHOW YOURSELF!"
A chuckle filled the air, and a small man appeared in front of him. He sat on a rock smiling at them all as he laughed. He was Genkai's height, dressed like a priest with a baldhead, and sharp black eyes, and with a heavily wrinkled face. His bony hands held a golden staff, and as the wind blew the sound of the metal rings hanging off the staff could be heard as they clashed together. The wind died down with his laugh, and he asked, "Is there a Kazuma Kuwabara here?"
Yusuke glanced quickly at his best friend, who had a look of shock and confusion on his face.
"Get away from here demon monk or I'll cast you back to hell!" Genkai snarled.
"Well you are intelligent!" The small man laughed, "Figuring out I wasn't human so fast! But I guess I shouldn't be surprised…you are the great Genkai after all." He looked at them all and his eyes fell on Kuwabara. Kuwabara stood straighter and glared back at the man's intense gaze. Then the man disappeared, and popped back up grabbing Kuwabara's shoulders and flipping him behind him, so that they both rolled backward.
"KAZUMA-KUN!" Yukina cried hands going to her mouth in horror. Yusuke growled and was about to race forward when Kuwabara slugged the tiny demon forcing his old wrinkled body away. The old man laughed standing next to Kuwabara and smiled, "It was easy to recognize you Kazuma...not only do you bare his name, you look just like your father." Kuwabara froze up at those words, the others behind him pausing in their movement as well.
"My father?" Kuwabara stared at the small bald demon monk. "You know of my father!? What do you know of him!?"
The demon smiled eerily, "I know of your mother too...they disappeared when you were ten didn't they Kazuma?" Kuwabara said nothing.
"As you know your family comes from a long line of priests, priestesses, and psychics. I came to them years ago and asked them if they would do me a favor, they refused so...I took them away," The demon explained carelessly. Kuwabara lunged for the demon man, who jumped away with ease, "I'll take you to them, just come with me," the old man crowed gleefully. Yusuke was now at Kuwabara's side, "Get the hell away! Kuwabara isn't going anywhere with you!"
But Kuwabara was looking at the demon in an odd way, and it was this look that the demon monk noticed. "I see it in your eyes, you want to find your parents…" the little man crooned drinking in the sight of Kuwabara narrowing his eyes. The demon smiled, "If you want to know more of them Kazuma meet me at the park, you know the tree you always sit under for your studies,-yes I've been watching you so don't ask." The monk smiled at Kuwabara who closed his mouth right before he could get any words out.
The monk chuckled darkly, "Just so you know, you're never alone...I'm always there...just like you thought I was." Kuwabara couldn't help but shiver. Kuwabara hadn't said a word to anyone but he had felt like he was being followed, like he was never alone. Something was always there. Kuwabara pushed these thoughts away, and now wished he hadn't kept his mouth shut about those feelings of someone always being around him.
The monk began laughing loudly, "Kazuma don't refuse my offer, and make the same mistake your parents did." He smiled, "I'm sure your family is worth the little favor I want you to do..." Kuwabara stood up glaring at the demon, "I have a feeling if my parents were here they would tell me it's not!"
"Are you so sure Kazuma? Wouldn't you like to see them?" The demon asked coyly. Kuwabara growled, fists shaking. "I thought so," The old monk sneered shaking his staff, "Tonight Kazuma, meet me tonight...you'll see your family again." Kuwabara's face seemed contorted in a way, sadness and anger trying to decorate his face at once. "It must have been hard growing up without a mentor, a father...though they'll be pleased to know...you turned out fairly well." The demon looked at Kuwabara with pity, "I'm sure they've missed raising their one and only son, as well as their daughter." Kuwabara went stiff eyes widening. The monk smiled gasping, "Wait I know! If you won't help me, maybe your sister will!"
"YOU STAY AWAY FROM MY SISTER!" Kuwabara howled eyes wide, and face contorted in horror.
"Then give me an answer tonight Kuwabara!" The monk leered at him, and with a deranged smile, bowed and then disappeared. Kuwabara wasted no time, and tore away from his friends, running up the hill to Genkai's shrine. "Damn!" Yusuke swore chasing after him.
Kuwabara was running as fast as he could and when he got to the steps that led down he growled and began leaping down the shrine's stairs. Yusuke and Kurama reached the stairs just in time to see Kuwabara fall down the last half and slam into the ground at the bottom, Kuwabara's lips and nose bleeding from the encounter with the stone steps. When it was all over and Kuwabara was lying in a sleep he pushed himself up growling as he looked at his arm that hung at an awkward angle. Kurama at the top of the staircase stared down eyes narrowing, "His shoulder's dislocated we better-Oh my God!" Kurama gasped as Kuwabara screamed out in frustration and slammed himself against a tree putting his shoulder back in to place, and with that accomplished he quickly ran off again. Yusuke and Kurama were now both surprised at how hard of a time they were having of keeping up. "Never threaten his family, make a note of that Kurama!" Yusuke said as he dodged people in his way as he continued in trying to follow Kuwabara's mad dash. "Noted." Kurama wheezed, before he came to a stop, "KUWABARA!" the red head cried.
Kuwabara had leapt on top of a car and was jumping from car to car to cross the street. "HAS HE LOST HIS DAMN MIND?!" Yusuke shouted grabbing at his hair pulling it out of it's gelled state. Kuwabara finally crossed the street and made it to his apartment building. He glanced once when he heard his friend's call to him, but ignored them once more and ran inside the build and up into his apartment.
When he entered the house, he saw his sister lying on the floor, the demon monk reaching for her. "Well you are fast." Kuwabara's sword was out and he growled, "Don't sound so impressed! I know you were testing me you fucking bastard! You-" The demon smiled at him and raised his hand, "Now that's enough or I'll kill her before your next word."
Kuwabara went quiet immediately and after moment of silence the demon smiled and asked, "Well, what is your next move? Will you meet me tonight Kuwa-chan?" Kuwabara paused taking in a deep breath and letting it out in a slow hiss before answering, "Tonight, I'll meet you. I'll never help you, but I'll come, and I'll get my parents back." The demon smiled, "What if I threaten to kill your parents?" Kuwabara turned away and a tear dripped off his face, "If what you want me to do is so terrible...then I'll kill myself! Even if you wind up wiping out my family, and those I love I won't let you get away with whatever the hell you want!"
The demon smiled, "Tonight then."
Yusuke and Kurama arrived, just as he disappeared, "Remember my name boy, Sage, remember it." He disappeared, and Kuwabara gently lifted his incapacitated sister in his arms. "Some welcome home party…" Yusuke muttered his eyes fixated at his best friend's back. When Kuwabara's shoulders trembled slightly Yusuke sighed hotly, "Dammit." Kurama looked at Kuwabara, "What will you do Kuwabara, will you go with him?"
Kuwabara turned slowly and smiled at them, looking tired, "Nah. I'll just have to try and kill this guy every time he pops up, right?" The smile was so fake, so falsely calm that it struck a nerve in Yusuke. And struck him hard. Yusuke approached the man and placed a hand on Kuwabara's shoulder giving it a firm squeeze, "Why don't you move in with Genkai, I'm sure she'll let you, you know at least until this guy stops coming after you." Kuwabara nodded, "I gotta agree, it'll be easier to protect Shizuru then." Kuwabara whistled softly, and Eckiji padded into the room meowing. He squatted down, and smiled at his chubby cat. "Up." Amazingly at that single command from her master, she jumped up, crawling her way to his shoulder, and stayed there.
"Never ceases to amaze me the way you handle cats!" Yusuke said offering a smile. Kuwabara forced one, "Yeah...right." The group walked slowly back to Genkai's shrine, silence hanging heavily around them. When they reached the shrine, no questions were asked. Genkai checked out Shizuru seeing nothing more than a bump on her head, and made a room for her two new guests. Things were quiet in the house, and in the afternoon everyone sat together just quietly thinking about the new danger that had reared its ugly head.
Kuwabara smiled as Yukina pet Eckiji, the cat loving the attention. Koenma sat in the room, Boeton next to him. "I'll try and figure out who this monk is, Kuwabara you said his name was Sage?" Kuwabara nodded, "He said he knew my parents." Koenma paused, "Everyone knew your parents."
Yukina stopped playing with Eckiji, Genkai set her tea down, Keiko turned away from tending to Shizuru who slept on blissfully unaware of the day's event, Boeton looked at the others worry lines on her brow, Yusuke's mouth opened, Kurama stared intently at Koenma, and Kuwabara went stiff, jaw set. Koenma cleared his throat, "They were some of the best psychics around! Everyone knew them, demons, humans, even my dad sang high praises of them..." Kuwabara had curled his fingers into a fist, and they shook as Koenma went on, "I didn't really know them, but when I met you Kuwabara…I realized who you were…you look so much like your dad...they disappeared, and my father looked for them, but had to give up. I'm sorry I never told you Kuwabara."
Kuwabara sighed, placing his hands on the floor, "What ever...it doesn't matter. That Sage bastard probably killed them both by now. I'm goin' to bed." He sighed, and rose turning sharply away. Yusuke looked at the wooden floor seeing bloody handprints. Kuwabara's nails must have cut into his skin because he was squeezing so hard. "Ah man..." Yusuke sighed. Koenma's shoulders sunk and he whispered a meek, "Damn." Boeton chewed on her lips out of nervous habit, "Should I try to reach Hiei?" Kurama gave a quick nod, "Yeah, Mukuro might know something about Sage, and I'm sure we can all do some research."
Yusuke sighed, "I'm gonna say good-bye to the big idiot for tonight." Rising he walked slowly to the guest room, and opened the door. Kuwabara was lying on his stomach, his shirt gone, and already snoring softly. Yusuke sighed, and watched him sleep for several minutes, "I just got back...just got back to see my best bud again...I'm not losing you Kuwabara...I'll swear I'll try to help you in any way I can. So…don't puss out on me!" He went over and ruffled Kuwabara's hair softly before leaving.
When Kuwabara was sure he was alone, he sat up…he hadn't been asleep at all. It was too loud for sleep. So loudly quiet.
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It was now 11:00 at night and Kuwabara read over a letter he had written. He nodded and placed it on his pillow. He pulled on his shirt, and walked silently out into the halls.
Everyone was asleep.
He snuck into Yukina's room to gaze at her still form. She was holding a sleeping Eckiji. He placed a second note for her, and her alone it read, "Take care of Eckiji. Yours Always, Kazuma Kuwabara." He smiled, and retreated making his way outside. Pulling on his sneakers he walked slowly down the shrine steps observing all the scenery as he walked past them. The trees stirred in the wind, and the full moon hung over his head. Kuwabara had rubbed the gel out of his hair, too lazy to fix it up, and besides Kuwabara wasn't sure if he'd be returning. Who knew what was really going to happen now. He smiled softly to himself wondering how pissed his friends would be when they found that letter. Kuwabara sighed, now he really wished he'd gotten to see Hiei, he wanted to say good-bye to him. Even if he thought Hiei was an ass, if Kuwabara was really heading into such danger he would have at least liked to have known he'd seen ALL his friend one last time…No matter…the letter he had left held his feelings and his good-byes.
When he reached the park he sat under the tree he would normally be at in this park, and waited. That was all he could do for now. Not fifteen minutes later he heard the sound of grass being crumpled under feet. He rose, and sighed, "Finally you're here. Alright Sage show me my parents, so I can finally kick your ass."
"Ooo...pissy much?" Yusuke's voice sneered, as he and Kurama emerged smiling, Kuwabara stared at them and after opening and closing his mouth several times wheezed out, "What...what are you-"
"Doing here?" Kurama smiled finishing the question, "We're not dumb we know you."
Yusuke nodded agreeing with what Kurama said, "Kuwabara, we know you'd come here to see Sage to find out about your parents, hell if any of us went through what you're going through we'd all do the same thing!" Yusuke put his arm around his friend's shoulder, "Come on Kuwabara, we're gonna help you out. You're our friend and teammate…'sides if you go off with his guy where else will I find such a nifty punchin' bag?"
"I'm sorry but I'm only here for the human!" a shrill voice rang out echoing around the almost deserted park.
Sage appeared standing on the top of the fountain in the center of the park. He smiled at Kuwabara, "Are you ready to see them?" Kuwabara glared at him, feeling sweat on the back of his neck. "Don't hurt my friends! I didn't bring them here!" Sage sighed shaking his head in disappointment, "They shouldn't have come...I just want you Kazuma."
Kuwabara growled, "I'M HERE! TAKE ME TO MY PARENTS! IGNORE THESE TWO!" Kurama and Yusuke both grabbed a hold of Kuwabara's shoulders, "Kuwabara we're not leaving you, we came here to help you kick this guy's ass!" Yusuke growled. He looked at his best friend, their eyes locking, "Let me help you. You're always trying to help us, now it's our turn to try and help you!!"
Sage laughed, "Well, isn't that so sweet!?"
Sage held both his hands together, and once more wind began to pick up. His eyes shone blue and he cried, "Os Ventos De Inferno!" Hot wind licked around the three, concentrating on Kurama, and Yusuke. The wind began to pull them away from Kuwabara, and once done began to blow on them. They screamed as the scorching winds burned their skin. "STOP!" Kuwabara cried, "STOP! I SAID I'D COME WITH YOU, JUST STOP HURTING MY FRIENDS!" Sage ignored Kuwabara's cries and then Kuwabara threatened in a low quiet voice, "Will I be of use to you dead?"
Sage stopped his attack, staring tensely at Kuwabara, who held his glowing sword to his throat. "Now stop hurting them. You want me...leave them out of this." Sage sighed, "For now…" Sage appeared next to Kuwabara, and made Kuwabara look into his glowing blue eyes. Kuwabara blinked against the bright light, and let his eyes drift over to his friends. "LOOK AT ME!" Sage ordered, grabbing Kuwabara's face, "SONO!"
Kuwabara's eyed dimmed, and then closed, and the short little man placed Kuwabara over his shoulder, it was a very strange sight to see; such a tiny man, holding such a tall teen. Yusuke rose, his hands severely burned, "KUWABARA!" he cried.
Smoke was circling around the old man, "The next time you see him, both of you will be dead!" Sage laughed as Yusuke came rushing forward. Yusuke tried to tackle the man, but he'd disappeared taking Kuwabara with him. Yusuke felt cold as his hands went through the empty air where Kuwabara's head and shoulders had once been. Yusuke raised himself painfully off the ground, finding Kuwabara's wallet. The wallet was brown, and worn, it held no money, but it held pictures. And the one at the very front was a picture of Kuwabara and Yusuke, smiling making peace signs over each other's heads.
They had taken that picture after the battle with the St. Beasts. Yusuke could still remember the short scuffle the two had had before Keiko had all but demanded the two to be still. Kuwabara had obeyed, telling Yusuke he should too. Yusuke tried to argue but a smack from Keiko straightened him up. They put their arms around each other, and Yusuke made the peace sign over his friend's head unaware that Kuwabara had done the same thing. Yusuke remembered how embarrassing it was when Keiko and Boeton had both squealed about how cutely perfect the picture was.
Now staring at this image Yusuke felt his body begin to shake as he closed it. He tried to remain calm, to surpass the feelings that were constricting in his chest, but when Kurama whispered, "Kuwabara….is he gone?" Yusuke had to let it out. So with one violent rush he screamed out his best friend's name blue energy erupting in to the sky. The energy died away and Yusuke held his head tearing at his hair again, falling to his knees, "No…Kuwabara."
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Back at Genkai's house Genkai quietly tended to Kurama and Yusuke's wounds.
Genkai bandaged up Yusuke's hands first, and sent him off. Keiko tried to take his arm, but he sharply said, "Leave me alone Keiko. Boeton better find Hiei...Dammit...YOU IDIOT!" Yusuke kicked the wall sending his foot through it. Genkai sighed, "I'll bandage up your foot as soon as I see to Kurama. And stop throwing a tantrum! A fat lot of good your hissy fit will do to help Kuwabara now!" Yusuke ignored her harsh but true words, and limped into the room where Kuwabara had been staying not two hours ago.
That was when he found the letter.
He picked it up, sitting on the bed, and began to read it softly to himself.
"Dear guys,
Sorry I ditched...but I'm seventeen now, soon to be eighteen and I haven't seen my parents in seven long years. I need to know if they're alive...and if this Sage guy really had them. I'm sorry I never told you about not knowing my parents. But it was something I just couldn't bring to say. I mean how do you casually drop in a conversation, "By the way guys I'm kind of an Orphan, so how's the weather?"
By now, whoever is reading this is probably thinking it's not the time to joke.
I also want to know what this demon tried to get my parents to do, and why they even went with him. Was it a trap? Where they tortured? Blackmailed? I just want to know. Take care of everything; I swear I won't do what he wants me to do, I swear upon my honor.
Master Genkai, I hope you don't mind if Eckiji and my sister become permanent residents. I think Yukina would like the company as would you, and I know my sister will need all the help and support she can get so please do what you can for my sister.
Shizuru I love you. Thanks for putting up with me and…everything. You raised me…you taught me everything…so…thanks. And again, I love you.
Yukina...there are no words I could say to you to tell you of how much I love you.
Hiei, you little punk…Wish I could have at least seen you. Tell your girl friend hi for me. And don't deny it you shrimp, Ten bucks says you love this Mukuro woman! This works out for me, if I'm wrong I can't give you ten bucks because...well lets not go into because.
Kurama take care. I think out of everyone you can understand why I'm doing this. Why I have to do this. I thank you for all the wisdom you've shared with me even if I didn't understand some of it...okay a lot of it. But hey I'm not making sevens on tests anymore, now it's more like tens.
Heh, I'm on a roll with the jokes today aren't I?
Urameshi.
You're my best friend. If I don't come back, I want you to know that. Take care of Keiko you cocky bastard. Yeah that's right, you're a cocky bastard! Urameshi, if I don't come back...I'm sorry. I really want to come back. I want to see you get married, have kids, grand kids, and I wanted us to be old men together talking of the good ol' days, chasing kids off out lawn, and even making up stories about how we had to walk 15 miles in the snow just to get to school. You know…do all the typical old peoples stuff. But mostly I wanted to see your wedding, and be there through every good and bad moment you'd ever have. I wanted us to be hanging out again…just like before. I know YOU will be reading this letter first Urameshi, I am psychic after all so…I just wanted to make this last part good. Bye Yusuke.
Your friend, your family, your fan, your comrade,
Kazuma Kuwabara."
Yusuke let the note fall to the ground, anger decorating his eyes, "Kuwabara...I'm going to get you back!"
End of chapter one
Os ventos de Inferno- winds of hell sono-sleep
oo...the arc has begun. Next chapter, Hiei finds out what is going on…and refuses to help save Kuwabara?