Epilogue

After leaving Genkai's, Botan road the train back with Yusuke and others, Kuwabara pouted the whole about never being told about Hiei being Yukina's brother. After seeing everyone else home, Botan accompanied Kurama back to his. They conversed the entire time and very little of the conversation had to do with previous capture.

"Well," Kurama said, stopping in front his building. "Here we are."

Botan hadn't even noticed. "Oh. Yes." She sounded a little sad, "Here we are."

He caught her change in tone. "Is everything alright, Botan?"

"Hmm?" She regained her composure and put on the best smile she could. "Oh! Yes, of course."

"You seem… a little out of it."

"Just probably demon world jet lag and all the excitement."

"Oh. As long as you're sure…"

"Yes, indeed." She started to turn to leave, "Well, I'll be going on now. Back to work, you know." She gave a small wave, "I'll… see you soon, I hope. I… would like to, anyway." She started to walk away.

"How about tomorrow?"

She turned to see him putting on a classic Kurama smile.

"Is that soon enough?"

Her heart did skip a beat at that smile.

"I have some new recipes I have been dying to try. Living alone, there's no one to cook for." He paused. "If you would like… I'd be honored if you had dinner with me."

"Oh, yes! I would!" she said, very excitedly. She stopped and blushed when she realized how over eager that sounded. She turned around to hide her crimson red face. "I mean… that is…" She looked over her shoulder. "If you… wouldn't mind."

"It would be my honor."

"Alright." She gave him a full, vibrant smile. She morphed back into her Reaper attire and hopped on her oar. "See you tomorrow, Kurama."

He nodded then waved, "Good night, Botan."

Two Days Later

It was around 3 AM while Yusuke was lying in bed next to Keiko that he sensed a huge shift in demon energy approaching their house. It seemed malicious… but not immediately dangerous. He got up, careful not wake up his wife, and walked outside; he looked all around to see what the source of the energy was. He stopped when he sensed it right behind him. He turned and looked into the shadows. "As a rule, I don't like demons around me unless their friends of mine and they all show up at reasonable hours. But a serious pet peeve? I really don't like dangerous people being near my home, near my wife. So, if it's a fight you want, you came to the right place… but at the very wrong time."

A man wearing a hood emerged from the shadows. "Yusuke Urameshi. The Mazoku. It's an honor to meet you, at last."

"Yeah. What's your deal?"

"You don't know me… but you're about to."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

The man in the hood smiled. He pulled the hood back to reveal a human's face with short gray hair. He had a few alchemic tattoos and demon markings on his face.

That perplexed Yusuke. He definitely felt some kind of demon energy coming from this man. Was he some type of Mazoku, as well? "Wait… are you a human or a demon?"

He laughed. "Yes."

"Which is it?"

"Both. Actually."

Yusuke growled, "Alright, who the hell are you?"

"Call me Arashi. I am the Lord of Deathlocke."

"And you're from demon world?"

"Yes. And no."

Yusuke was starting to get angry with this man's demeanor and he was ready for a fight, anyway. "Okay, Arashi. Exactly what do you want?"

"Like I alluded to, I am both human and demon but, in the biological sense, I was born a human, just like you."

"Okay…"

"With that, came the traditions of being human."

"What are you talking about?"

Arashi started to pace before Yusuke. "You met the demon, Tap, yes?"

Yusuke remembered the short demon that was at Darkgate Castle. "Yeah, I remember the little creep. Amazing such big jerk can be in such a tiny body."

"True as that is, he works for me."

Yusuke's eyes widened. He let his spirit energy flare. "So, what? You wanna fight?"

Arashi stopped his pacing. "Actually, yes. But not here."

"Where then?"

"Three months." He smiled. "At the Dark Tournament."

Yusuke was surprised. "The Committee is all dead."

"I formed a new one."

"For what?"

"My own needs, which you are now a part of."

"Wrong. I'm done with the Dark Tournament."

"Oh, I think you'll participate… to save a friend of yours."

Yusuke squinted his eyes. "Who?"

Arashi folded his arms behind his back and paced again. "I have a deal to make with you, Yusuke. You will participate in my new Tournament or I will hurt someone."

"Who?"

"Well, everyone you care about, really. But one very specific person as this is a special case." He stopped and smiled. "This is about my daughter. She's a dear friend of yours I believe."

"Daughter?"

"Yes. Take part in my tournament, you and your team, or I will come after you all with all of the resources at my disposal. And I promise… you can't protect everyone."

Yusuke groaned. It was like talking with Toguro all over again. "Fine. Whatever. I'm in."

"Very good." He started to walk off. "I'll be seeing you again, soon."

"Hey, hold on!"

Arashi stopped and turned around, "Yes?"

"Who is she? Your daughter?"

Arashi put on the most sinister smile he could. He chuckled. "She's quite the sweet soul. She's been a great asset and motivator to you and your team, I've learned. That blue hair even makes her seem innocent."

At first, Yusuke thought Arashi was talking about Yukina, though that didn't make any sense.

What he said next, however, did. "Wouldn't hurt a fly… in most cases in anyway. But she has been known to swing quite a nasty baseball bat, if the occasion calls for it."

Yusuke's eyes widened.

"You ask who my daughter is… but you already know her name."

Though he knew her name, Yusuke couldn't call it. He just couldn't say it.

But Arashi, this man, this demon… her father… could.

"Botan."

A/N: I know. Ain't I a stinker? So, Arashi has revealed himself and Botan is his daughter. How is this possible? What will await our heroes in the new Dark Tournament? Be sure to check back and find out.

To be continued in "Lord of Deathlocke."

See you soon!

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