"Make sure you win, Kurama! I'll finish off that shampoo boy…"

"Hnn… Like you will…"

"Oh, shut up, shortie!"

Kurama ignored them and walked into the arena slowly. This Uraurashima guy seemed weak, but then again, he should never underestimate his opponents. That was what he had learned from past events, the latest being his fight with Roto.

"Ready, begin!" Juri gave the signal to start the fight.

Uraurashima began twirling his fishing rod in a circle above his head. Kurama whipped out his Rose Whip and swung it in a similar fashion. Both seemed to be waiting for the other to start attacking first.

And then, without warning, both launched a ferocious attack from each of their sides.

Little did Kurama know, that this fight was going to end with a twist, and that he was getting closer to the Youko he had long since abandoned…

Chapter 10 – The Crow and the Fox

After a week of exhausting work… Still busy, but found time to write… XP… Lawyers, refer to previous chapters for disclaimers please… I'm too tired to rewrite…

"What the…"

Kurama only just noticed the fine threads trapping him inside the arena. He cursed himself for being so foolish… So gullible… And susceptible to some sob story…

Uraurashima smirked and took out a box. "You know what this it? It's the Reverse Age Box… And it will send you back to the time when you were still a helpless little child… Time to say goodbye!"

He opened the box. A heavy fog poured from within and engulfed the arena within the barriers. Kurama was taken aback by the sudden smoke. Besides, this was no ordinary smoke. Kurama swayed, trying to stay awake… He was getting rather drowsy…

Uraurashima's smirk grew wider as he sensed Kurama's energy grow weaker and weaker.

'Hah! It won't be long now till he reaches his baby form. And then he won't be a threat anymore… Huh?'

Instead of staying at the weakest point, Kurama's energy totally disappeared. Uraurashima checked frantically. Yup, definitely no trace of Minamino Shuichi's energy.

'What's going on? Why did his energy…?'

And then, as if answering his question, a sudden burst of powerful energy swept past his body like a cold wind. Shivering with cold and fear, Uraurashima could sense a presence behind him, and he felt a tremor run down his spine. He was right to be afraid alright.

The tall shadow looming over him spoke in a calm, cold voice: "Well, well… It's been a while… I never thought that I'd see this body ever again."

Uraurashima turned slowly to face his opponent, and nearly screamed when he saw who it was.

"You're… You're… You're Kurama the fox! Youko Kurama! The… The most infamous… Infamous bandit in all of Makai!"

"I'm honoured that you should remember my name. But now, you must pay for your sins."

The coward whimpered and begged for his life. "Oh please… Please!"

Youko Kurama gracefully took a seed out of his hair and produced an Apparition Eating Plant. Wielding it like an enormous shield, he posed it delicately over Uraurashima.

"This plant has a taste for demon blood and is extremely aggressive. It spits acidic saliva that will reduce your flesh and bones into a thick soup… So, tell me what I want to know, and I'll spare you…"

"What… What do you want to know? I… I'll tell you anything!"

"Where did you get that box?"

Uraurashima was puzzled. But no wasn't the time to be asking questions. "I… I was given them… By our leader… I… I have no idea…That is… I…"

But before he could finish his sentence, a sword cracked the barrier and ran right through him. The demon writhed in agony for a while, and then fell dead onto the floor, changing back to the shape-shifting demon it actually was.

The silver fox looked from the dead body to the sword's owner. Shishiwakamaru, the handsome, purple-haired samurai from the opposing team threw a triumphant smile at him.

It didn't take long for the smoke to clear slowly, and as it did, Kurama slowly reverted back to his human form.

He stepped out of the arena and walked back to his team. Hiei noticed his eyes were somewhat downcast, and he refused to look at anyone but Shishiwakamaru. And Hiei knew that it was because Kurama was desperate to find out what was it that could change him back into Youko.

What Hiei didn't know, was what Kurama saw and remembered, when he changed back into Youko just then.

"You know, Kuwabara should have followed that Suzuki clown and become his student. They could open a circus…" muttered Hiei.

"What do you mean? None of them were really a match for me, so I just decided to let you guys take them on!"

"Or is that just some excuse because you humiliatingly fell into their trap twice?"

"I did it on purpose, I tell ya!"

"Point is, human, you weren't much help to us today. I took down two in a row, and was still ready for more…"

"Why can't you ever say anything nice, Hiei?"

"Simple. Because there's nothing nice about you."

"Take that back!"

A series of scuffling and punching ensued, as the girls pushed open the door to check out the noise.

Kuwabara stopped immediately at the sight of Yukina. "Yukina! How are you? Did you see me today? I was spectacular, wasn't I?"

Hiei shot daggers at Kuwabara with his blazing eyes. Kuwabara, being Kuwabara, did not notice a thing. Kurama had to put a hand on Hiei's shoulder to remind him that if Kuwabara were to die, Yukina might not speak to him again. Hiei swallowed down all thoughts off torturing and killing the idiot.

Kurama, on the other hand, couldn't wait till he got some quiet time on his own. He needed to sort out his memories. Reverting back to Youko had unlocked many hidden memories, and Kurama finally knew who this Ariya was.

He remembered flashes, of a little girl struggling to learn how to control her Spirit Energy; of a young teenager jumping swiftly from tree to tree as a bat demon named Kuronue tried to catch her; and he also remembered how much those two had meant to him. But the emotions he felt were rather blur still, and he couldn't fully know if they were his family or his friends. But he knew that Ariya was his student, and he also knew she was dead.

For the dream finally made sense to him. And he also remembered that fateful night. The night when he had made the decision to live as a cold and ruthless bandit. He told himself, that emotions were worthless, and relationships were futile. He had to get by on his own. Kurama smiled to himself now. He had broken his own policy. Yusuke had seen to that.

Funny though, he had a feeling that this Ariya girl would be happy if she had known that her Sensei had finally learned how to treasure the people around him again.

Kurama went down to the arena. Genkai had advised him and Hiei to observe their opponents before the fight. Hiei chose training over strategy and thus, Kurama was left to watch the other semi-final fight on his own.

It was just as well that Hiei chose not to watch. They were good. Very good. Kurama wasn't even sure if he could beat the other two, let alone the Toguro brothers.

As he walked out of the arena, ignoring shouts of mockery and death threats, he encountered the armour-clad Bui and the tall, vampirish Karasu.

Kurama felt a tingle run down his spine. The way Karasu was looking at him wasn't normal, he could tell. There was something seriously weird about the raven-haired demon. And when Karasu proceeded to scare the heck out of Kurama, Kurama's worst fears were confirmed. He really wasn't sure whether he could defeat even Karasu.

He left the stadium in a hurry, racking his head for a plan or something to win his upcoming fight. Kurama knew he was going to have to face the creepy bomb demon. But how was he supposed to win? Karasu definitely has more energy than he does, and unless Kurama could transform back into Youko, there was absolutely no chance of him defeating the crow.

Suddenly, a jolt of energy shook him. This was different though. It wasn't asurge of energy, it was the disappearance of one. With a pang of sorrow, Kurama remembered what Karasu had mentioned to him earlier.

'The four of you will have until the day after tommorow to live. One of you will be dying today.'

Kurama bowed his head sadly. He knew it. One of their members had just left for the next life.

His fists clenched and his eyes closed, he made a silent promise.

'Genkai, we'll win the Tournament for you. I promise, no matter how hard, we'll do our best. We'll show Toguro…'

This was it. The big day. The day of the Dark Tournament finals. Yusuke was silent and there was a cool, determined look in his eyes. Hiei didn't really say anything either. The fire demon was just strutting coolly along with them. Kurama was nervous, but he hid it under a calm composure. Only Kuwabara was making weird noises and loud exclamations.

"Weird, it's about time too, but Genkai ain't here yet! I wonder where could she be."

At that, Hiei snorted, Kurama fidgeted and Yusuke just looked away.

"The old lady must've forgot the time! I hope Yukina and the others won't be late though. I need Yukina to cheer for me."

Hiei gripped his sword hilt tightly, Kurama gave him a warning look, and Yusuke still stood with his back against the wall, silent.

The door to the stadium opened slowly, an air of uneasiness swooping over Team Urameshi as they entered the arena amidst cries of bloodshed and demands for their blood. Hiei glared at the spectators for a couple of seconds and then fixed his eyes on their opponent. Kuwabara, however, was shaking.

Kurama could barely listen as Koenma stated that he would be their fifth fighter. He only remembered sweatdropping as Koenma revealed the jet pack strapped to his back. Typical Koenma. He felt almost relieved at that point though, they all did, as if they were back to their old selves, and that they weren't in this darn tournament anymore, facing the possibility of dying.

Then Karasu gave him that chilly look and mocked a gun to his forehead, whispering, "Bang!"

Kurama winced. 'I guess I have no choice. Karasu may be twisted and powerful, but I have to try my best to defeat him!'

"Round 1 of the Dark Tournament finals! Fighters, please take your positions!" Juri exclaimed.

Karasu stepped up smoothly, eyes locked on Kurama. Kuwabara was about to step up when Kurama stopped him.

"This one's mine."

Saying that, he leapt onto the arena. Juri declared the match started, and Kurama enveloped himself in a barrier of rose petals. Karasu strode calmly into the petal cloud.

'As soon as he gets near, my rose petals will slice him up to bits!' thought Kurama. Or so he thought…

A petal gently grazed Karasu's pale cheek. "Ahh… Your rose petals are pretty darn sharp, aren't they? But they won't stop me from getting to you…"

Suddenly, the petals were exploding in mid air without Karasu having to touch them. Kurama was shocked. His theory about Karasu's powers were wrong then. But, how did this guy blow things up without touching them? Kurama was baffled. He quickly switched to another strategy and brandished the Rose Whip.

As he lashed out with the whip, Karasu blew it up from a distance as well. The bomb demon now launched himself at Kurama, swiping at him with sharp claws.

"Your attacks are elegant, yet weak… It's such a pity I have to kill you… "

Kurama just managed to swerve out of the way again. 'He's moving too fast. I can't reach my weapons!'

"But no matter…" whispered Karasu. "You see, I love killing, and I'm very good at it…" he finished, emphasizing on the last four words.

"And when I kill something I like, it makes me feel so good I can hardly stand it!"

Before he realised Karasu had made his move, a stabbing pain erupted from his arm. Kurama collapsed, gripping his injured shoulder tightly. He looked up at Karasu, who was standing a way off calmly gazing at him.

"You think I inject my Spirit Energy into my opponent's body and then blow it up from the inside out, don't you? Well, you're wrong. You see, like you, I too control a Spirit Object. Right now, it's sitting here in my right hand. You can't see it, but now I'll take this object and lower it's energy level so that even you can see it…"

Kurama kept his eyes fixed on Karasu's said hand. As the object materialised, he gasped.

"You see? It's a bomb!" Karasu raised it up into the air and flung it at Kurama.

"Kurama!" Yusuke yelled, as the bomb hit Kurama squarely and exploded.

As the smoke cleared, Kurama was no where to be seen. "Has Kurama been blown away by that enormous explosion?" Juri asked.

Even as she did, a strange energy enveloped them. A sinister, calm and cold force, powerful, yet much suppressed, now released in full force. Looks like Kurama's potion worked after all.

The silver kitsune stepped out of the smoke, smirking coldly. "My, my, that was quite a big explosion. If I had been in Minamino Shuichi's body, I'd have been dead."

Karasu scoffed. "You soon will be anyway." And he created some flying bombs, sending them straight at Kurama.

"Ahh… I see them now, I can see you making those weapons of yours." He took two roses out and destroyed the bombs with them. Karasu only made more and very soon, Kurama was surrounded by a cloud of winged bombs.

Leaping and dodging gracefully in the air, Kurama engaged Karasu in conversation.

"Tell me, have you ever heard of the Ojiggi weed? It smothers anything flammable with its leaves to protect itself."

"I have no interest in plants!" snapped Karasu.

Kurama ignored him. "The Ojiggi weed from Makai is much more ferocious than its Earth cousin. It goes after anything that moves or is flammable."

Muttering a string of spell words, Kurama summoned an enormous, intimidating plant with large fang covered heads. The leaves framing each mouth closed around the bombs and smothered them.

"Woman, if you want to survive, don't move." He warned Juri.

"Great! Now that Kurama's the fox, he's sure to win! With that scary plant, the freak Karasu won't stand a chance!" Kuwabara was ready to celebrate their first victory.

"Don't be so sure yet. That Karasu has got to be more powerful than he seems." Hiei muttered.

Back in the arena, Kurama was watching as Karasu tried to evade the Ojiggi Plant. "Aww, that's a shame… It doesn't seem to like you…"

'Don't play too much, Sensei…'

Kurama started. The voice was coming from his head, and it sounded so familiar. 'Could this be a trick from Karasu, to try and weaken me? I won't fall for it…'

Karasu threw a bomb at the Ojiggi weed, to try and immobilize it. But they just kept coming. Kurama could see the fear in his eyes already.

"Now your weak attacks have made it mad… Bang!" mocked Kurama.

The Ojiggi plants grabbed Karasu, and soon, the struggling demon was trapped in a ball of leaves.

Kurama scoffed. "I'd expected better from you…" He turned to walk away as Juri started to announce his victory.

'Sensei! It's not over! Sensei!"

'Darn… It's that voice again… Could it be that Karasu's spell is still in effect?'

It would have done him better to listen to the voice. Because Karasu was still alive, and much more dangerous than before.

Kurama struggled to stand up, blood dripping down from his wounds. He was so weak; he couldn't even summon any of his plants. He couldn't even fight hand to hand with Karasu. How was he supposed to win this fight?

After his supposed victory, Karasu had surprised everyone by emerging unscathed and without his mask. That just proved him to be more dangerous. Karasu took in flammable gas through his mouth, changing his hair to blond. Using his hands as the trigger, he caused a massive explosion that blew up a third of the stadium.

Buried under the rubble, Kurama survived, but when he emerged, it was as Minamino Shuichi. The voice was right, he shouldn't have underestimated Karasu. But the potion only worked for such a short time, so what was going on?

Within minutes, Karasu had wounded Kurama so severely, and now Kurama could barely move. The pain was excruciating, but Kurama wanted so badly to defeat this guy. He had to. He really had to.

But how? He had no energy left, he was severely wounded, if he were to use his remaining life energy, he would die.

That was the answer. He would kill Karasu with a Blood Sucking flower, targetting the wound on Karasu's chest he had made earlier, in exchange for his life.

But did he dare? What if it didn't work? Would Yusuke and the others blame him? He hesitated for a moment as he tried to get up.

'Don't worry, Sensei… You'll pull through… I'm right here, remember?'

'That voice again…' thought Kurama. 'Whoever you are, I thank you, I should have listened earlier…'

'Don't thank me, Sensei… I'm just part of you, a long forgotten memory, that's all. Just do your best…'

'I will. I won't fail my friends this time… I won't…'

With that, Kurama used the last of his energy to send a Blood Sucking Flower straight at Karasu. As the flower drained Karasu's blood, Kurama fell unconscious to the floor.

"Kurama!" screamed Yusuke. Even Hiei was a tad bit anxious.

'You did well, Sensei… Although maybe you over did it…'

'I know you… Ariya… I thought you were…'

'Dead? I am, but part of me still lives within you, don't I? Although, I think it may be time for you to move on. You have friends that care for you, and a mother that loves you… You should be thankful…'

'I miss you, where are you? And Kuronue, is he there too?'

'I don't know… This is not me you're talking to, this is just a memory of me, so technically, I can't tell you how life after death is like… You have to find my soul… Hehe…'

Kurama thought he saw a young girl smiling at him, but the light got brighter and brighter, and soon, she faded away. He opened his eyes to find that…

"I'm alive…" How, he didn't know. But afterwards he realised it was the after effect of the potion. He smiled and gazed upwards. He had defeated Karasu, although, he knew he didn't win this fight. Still, he felt relieved of his burden.

'I hope you're alright over there… Ariya…'

Well, that's the end of the Dark tournament, and the end of this long awaited chapter! I am so sorry about the wait, one of my readers kindly informed me that I have not updated since April. Sob… I'm really sorry, I was very busy, with some issues, and relationship problems too, but now, I'm glad to announce that I have everything sorted out! I have been promoted, my position stable, and my relationship sorted out! Oh yeah, I have a new computer too, but the Internet connection is not stable yet, which makes uploading chapters hard… Once it's stable, I'll be uploading like crazy! I promise…

Oh, and I'd be gone for a month or so, assignments galore… And I'm thinking of starting a new fanfic for Pokemon…

Once again, soory for the wait, scold all you want… Please… I need some scoldings…

Bwai!