Death of Genkai

Human World, Hanging Neck Island.

After the result of the match was announced, Team Urameshi did not waste any time leaving the arena and heading back to their accommodations. As they left the ring area, however, none of them noticed the longing gaze, with which, Juri watched James leave the arena.

Naturally, after leaving the arena the team met up with Irene, Erza, Genkai and the rest. And as soon as they were within sight, Kuwabara sprinted away from his teammates and approached Yukina, who was standing with Keiko and Shizuru.

"Hey, Yukina, I see you have your servants with you today as well." Kuwabara said in a joking tone.

*Bang!*

Before he could continue or Yukina could respond, however, Shizuru launched a text book right cross that landed on her younger brother's chin, knocking him onto his butt.

"What did you just call me?" Shizuru asked with a menacing expression on her face.

"Haha... come on Sis, you know I was just joking." Kuwabara said while rubbing his chin. Then, without paying his sister any more attention, he sprung to his feet and continued speaking. "So, did you watch the match?"

"Yes, you all worked so hard to win." Yukina said with a pleasant smile on her face.

"Not him." Hiei said, interjecting in the conversation while pointing at Kuwabara.

"Hey, what do you mean by that?" Kuwabara asked in an offended tone. "I fought in just as many fights as you did."

"Yeah, and you lost them both." Hiei said disdainfully.

While Hiei and Kuwabara continued to bicker, James, Irene, Erza, and Genkai also chatted while they walked at the back of the group. Although they could tell that both Botan and Kurama were trying to listen in on their conversation, none of them cared.

"So, have you given my proposal any thought?" James asked with a serious glint in his eyes while smiling at Genkai.

"I have, but I'm still not sure." Genkai replied.

"Well, if things go like you expect them to, you should give me an answer before it's too late." James said, not making the true purpose of their conversation clear.

"I'm sure Yusuke will ask you to do it regardless." Genkai said with a small smile of fondness on her lips.

"He really does respect you." Irene said with a smile as well.

"It seems more like love than just simple respect." Erza said while also smiling.

"Well, if you know what kinda home he grew up in, you'd understand why he clings to Genkai as more than just a mentor." James said in reply to the mother-daughter pair. "And to be honest, even though he probably wouldn't admit it right now, meeting Genkai was probably the best thing that ever happened to him."

Even though she did not smile, it was clear to anyone who was looking that Genkai was happy to hear that she was such a positive influence on her disciple.

As the group continued to walk and chat, they eventually reached the hotel. Then, they swiftly made their way to their suite and entered. When they did, the first thing they saw was Yusuke sleeping on one of the sofas with Pu lying on his chest.

"What's wrong with Urameshi?" Kuwabara asked while approaching the sleeping Yusuke. Then, when he was close enough to see him clearly, he recoiled. "Eww... why is he covered in dried blood?"

Hearing that, the one who reacted the most was Keiko. She immediately rushed past the rest of the group and looked at Yusuke carefully. Then, after a few seconds, she used her right hand to push Yusuke's bangs out of his face with a gentle smile on her face.

"The only thing you know how to do is make me worry." Keiko said. Then, she stopped brushing Yusuke's hair with her fingers and pinched his nose with a playful smile on her face. "Can't you let me breathe easy for a little while?"

Eventually, Yusuke, while still sleeping, swatted at Keiko's hand weakly.

"Stop it, Keiko..." Yusuke muttered in his sleep.

Seeing this interaction, everyone in the group, without exception, felt a little warm and fuzzy on the inside. However, this could not be allowed to continue, as the group did want to celebrate their victory and being the first team to make it into the Dark Tournament finals.

"Kuwabara, carry Yusuke to his room." Genkai ordered. "I only left him there after his training was finished so that I could get to the arena quickly."

Obeying Genkai's order, Kuwabara reached down to pick up Yusuke and sling him over his shoulder. Before he could, however, Keiko quickly picked up Pu and cradled the little spirit beast in her arms. Kuwabara then quickly lifted Yusuke. Then, both he and Keiko left the living room.

A few moments later, Kuwabara and Keiko returned. Then, like they have done after every victory thus far, Team Urameshi celebrated with a few drinks, chatting, and laughter.

The next morning, after most of the suite's residents had awakened for the day, they all sat down to have breakfast together. All except for Hiei, who decided that his time would be put to better use training.

"Is Urameshi still asleep?" Kuwabara asked before stuffing part of his breakfast into his mouth.

"Yes, the ordeal I put him through yesterday was very taxing on his mind and body." Genkai replied. "You should just let him sleep."

"Yeah, but..." Kuwabara said, looking worriedly at Yusuke's bedroom door. "What if he sleeps for a few days like he did at the beginning of the tournament? He might sleep past the finals.'

"You don't need to worry, Kuwabara." Genkai replied without changing her expression. "He'll wake up before the finals whether he wants to or not."

Instead of smiling happily, Kuwabara only stared at Genkai with even more worry. Even though he was not particularly sensitive to the emotions of others, he could tell that Genkai's words meant something ominous.

"Anyway." Genkai said, clearly trying her best to change the subject. "Do any of you plan on watching the other semi-final match today? I would suggest that you do."

"I think I'll take that suggestion." Kurama said with a nod. "It will be good to know what to expect in the upcoming match."

Nodding in response, Genkai let her gaze scan the room. When she saw Kuwabara, she knew that there would not be much point in him knowing what to expect from the opponents in the next round. Meanwhile, she knew that James had the ability to flip the game board whenever he felt like it, so there was no need to worry.

"I'll be spending my time in the suite." James said, in response to Genkai's question. "I'll work on my energy control."

"Do you think you could help me improve my energy control, too?" Kuwabara asked, surprising everyone in the room.

The fac that Kuwabara asked for some training was not what surprised everyone. In fact, they all knew that Kuwabara was quite diligent when it came to training. However, he paid more attention to increasing his raw power, rather than his energy control. So, the fact that he asked for control training was beyond everyone's expectations.

"Sure." James replied with a smile. "But you're gonna think I'm crazy when I get you to start this training."

"Are you gonna use the water trick?" Irene asked curiously.

"Yup." I think it's the best way to get the basics of energy control down.

That statement made everyone curious what this water trick was. So, as soon as breakfast was over, everyone watched As James filled up a bowl with water and dipped a finger into it without causing a single ripple on the water's surface.

Then, like he had explained to everyone else he taught this method, he explained the way to use this training and showed what could be done by picking up a ball of water and tossing it between his hands.

Like that, the rest of the morning went by with Kuwabara, and even Kurama, using the water bowl training method while James and Irene trained their control with more advanced training methods. Erza, on the other hand, was training her swordsmanship out in the hotel's backyard.

Eventually, the morning ended, and Kurama left the hotel room to watch the semi-final with Team Toguro. Before he did, however, he had to change his clothing. From their training, both he and Kuwabara had gotten themselves drenched. And the room they were practicing in had seen better days, as it too was soaked from all the splashing water.

Shortly after Kurama left, Genkai also decided that she would go out for a walk. Before she left, however, she made a point of talking to Keiko, asking her to take care of Yusuke since she could tell how much they loved each other, and Botan, asking her to keep supporting Yusuke in his work as a Spirit Detective.

Shizuru, who had been hanging out with Keiko and Botan, did not speak during these exchanges. Instead, she smiled as warmly as she could, feeling that something bad was about to happen. While Yukina, who was also present, remained silent as well, having a similar feeling to Shizuru.

After saying her peace to the two people who were most involved with Yusuke, she made her way to see Kuwabara, who was still training with the water bowl method.

"Kuwabara." Genkai said after watching Kuwabara's diligence for a few minutes.

"Ma'am." Kuwabara said, stopping his training to listen to an elder.

"Make sure you don't lose that kind heart of yours." Genkai instructed. "Yusuke will need someone like you around when things get tough in the future."

"Uh... Sure?" Kuwabara replied in a confused tone,

"I'll go out for a walk." Genkai said after nodding at the confused Kuwabara before turning around and walking away.

Like that, Genkai left the hotel. However, just as she stepped through the hotel's front door, she ran into James, who was leaning against the wall to the side of the door.

"I need your answer, Genkai." James said, his usual smile gone from his face. "You know I can't wait too long."

"*Sigh* If Yusuke asks you to, do it." Genkai said with a tone of resignation. "Only do it if he manages to get his head out of his ass first, though. I don't' know what Toguro will do if he doesn't get the fight he wants."

"I'm pretty sure I can imagine what he'll try." James said with a wry smile, remembering what Toguro did to get Yusuke to show his full potential.

"Very well, I'll trust your judgement on this one." Genkai said with a nod.

With that, Genkai walked away without another word. Watching her leave, James could not help but shake his head. He knew that Genkai would die today, and that it would hurt Yusuke a lot. But for Yusuke's growth he could not interfere.

"*Sigh* I'll just keep an eye on everything and make a move when Yusuke is wallowing in sadness." James said to himself as he turned around and walked into the hotel.

An hour later, James felt two relatively strong auras begin to clash in the distance. At the same time, Yusuke's eyes shot open. Then, with violent momentum, he sat up with a perturbed expression on his face.

Hearing Yusuke's sudden movement, Kuwabara stopped his training and walked into Yusuke's room. When Yusuke saw him, he was more than a little surprised. Kuwabara was dripping wet and left wet footprints, accompanied by a squelching sound, with every step he took.

"Oh good, you're awake." Kuwabara said with a hint of relief in his tone. "I thought you might sleep through the finals."

Shaking off the confusion he felt from seeing Kuwabara's current state, Yusuke's eyes narrowed as he opened his mouth to speak.

"Where is Genkai?" Yusuke asked in a demanding tone.

"I don't know." Kuwabara replied, a bit taken aback by Yusuke's tone. "She said she was going for a walk."

"You idiot, why would you let her go alone?" Yusuke asked as he jumped out of bed and rushed out of the room.

Meanwhile, Kuwabara could only watch Yusuke leave with confusion on his face. IN fact, he was so confused by what was going on that he did not even notice that James had walked up behind him until he felt the older boy's hand land on his shoulder.

"Don't worry about it." James said, patting Kuwabara's shoulder as he spoke. "I'll follow him and make sure nothing happens."

Before Kuwabara could reply, James also left the room. Then, he let Irene know he was leaving before following Yusuke out of the hotel.

Although he was much faster than Yusuke, James followed the Spirit Detective at a bit of a distance. He remembered Genkai's death from the anime. And considering how it choked him up when he saw it on a TV screen in his past life, he decided that he would not witness it in person this time.

When James eventually arrived on the scene, Genkai had just taken her last breath cradled in Yusuke's arms. Meanwhile, the younger of the Toguro brothers, who Genkai had just fought and lost to, stood a short distance away from the master-disciple pair.

James then watched Yusuke as he lay Genkai's body down on the ground. Then, with a mixture of rage and sadness, he charged at Toguro, throwing a punch with everything he could currently muster. Unfortunately, that everything was not enough.

Having bulked up much more than he did in his fight with the Spirit Warriors Team, Toguro blocked Yusuke's punch with only his left hand. Then, he threw a punch at Yusuke, sending him flying backward through several trees before his momentum was arrested when he slammed into a particularly large tree.

"You're not there quite yet, Yusuke." Toguro said as he stared down at his left hand with its now mangled fingers that were healing quickly. "But You're quite close."

"Don't worry, I'll make sure that he's exactly where you want him to be by the time you two get to fight." James said from behind Toguro.

Upon hearing that voice, Toguro's expression did not change. He did, however, spin around and throw a punch with all his might at the person who was able to get behind him without his notice.

*Smack!*

That punch, however, was stopped effortlessly when James raised his left hand.

"Take it easy, Big Guy." James said nonchalantly. "I have no intention of getting between you and Yusuke. He needs this fight just as much as you do. Oh, but I will kill your brother during the finals. That's non-negotiable. He's grown way to vile over the years."

Judging by his expression, Toguro could not care less about what would happen to his brother tomorrow. Then, after reverting back to his normal size, Toguro walked over to his trench coat, picked it up, slung it over his shoulder, and walked away.

"I hope Yusuke doesn't disappoint me." Toguro said as he continued to walk away.

Hearing that, James grinned. Then, he made his way to Yusuke, who was still sitting against the tree he slammed into.