Chapter Text
Prologue
Yusuke stared in amazement at what he just heard. Arashi had spoken the name of his daughter and that name was repeating in Yusuke’s mind over and over again.
Botan.
How was that even possible?
“What the hell are you even talking about?” Yusuke asked. “Botan’s a Reaper. She’s a spirit. She doesn’t have a father. She can’t! She’s not even human!”
Arashi chuckled, quietly. “Believe me, I was just as surprised as you are. But, I assure you, it is true. Tap was there to take a sample of your blood for my experiments, but intervention from Kurama and Goto put a stop that. So, Tap had to settle for a standard scan of you all. It took us a while to sort out the data, but we noticed, immediately, there was a similar soul rhythm in the room to mine. It took a while to distinguish it was Botan. Her soul rhythm is in tune with my own. That only happens in three cases: to a lesser extent, in the case of true friends; in its own defining way, in the case of true…” He made a disgusted groan, “…love…” He shuddered. “And always…”
“…And always for family.” Yusuke surmised, interrupting him. He exhaled in shock.
Arashi smiled. “Exactly. And, since I have not been in love in some time and have no friends, that leaves the final scenario.”
Yusuke stared at him disbelief. As hard as it was, what told Yusuke that all of this had the possibility of being true was the fact that Arashi was here. “So, you want her. Why?”
Arashi started to pace again. “Demon World has no true king.”
“Wrong. Enki won the Tournament again. He’s king.”
“Please. Don’t make me laugh. That weakling. I can kill him, easily.”
“Then why don’t you?” Yusuke asked.
“Because his precious council and friends of your demon ancestor will fight to defend him,” Arashi answered. “I need to be a bit stronger for my power to be absolute.”
“And Botan will do that? How?”
“Not her. I need something she has.”
“What?”
Arashi stopped pacing and stared at Yusuke. “Her heart.”
Yusuke paused for a few seconds. “I’m sorry?”
“I need her heart.”
Yusuke stared at Arashi quietly, still trying to make sure he understood correctly. “When you say her heart…”
“I mean, exactly, what I mean,” Arashi responded. “Her blood pumping organ. Even reapers have one of some sort and I plan to take hers.” He walked closer to Yusuke. “I want and need her still. Beating. Heart.”
Yusuke growled. His powers pulsated, lowly, creating an outline of blue light around his body. “I’m gonna kill you right now.”
“Do that and my servants will hunt down and murder everyone you know. Starting with your mother.”
Yusuke’s eyes widened.
“Yes, Yusuke,” Arashi said. “I know everything about you. It wasn’t hard. I am the most powerful sorcerer in any world.”
Yusuke still wanted to punch Arashi, but he had to restrain himself.
Arashi could clearly see Yusuke’s strained fist. “You want to fight? Good, that attitude will definitely help you in the Dark Tournament.” He shrugged. “Or… just give over my daughter now. Do that and I swear that I will leave you and the rest of your friends alone. Unless you try and stop me, afterwards, that is.”
Yusuke narrowed his eyes. “If you know me, then you know, good and damn well, I’m not gonna hand Botan over.”
“Then accept my terms. Fight in the Dark Tournament.”
Yusuke sighed. “When is it?”
“Good boy,” Arashi mocked. “The Tournament will be held in three months on my island, Deathlocke.”
“How will we get there?”
“There’s a boat leaving not far from here in three months. You will be sent all the necessary details. Just be on it.”
“Great,” Yusuke groaned. “Another boat filled with demons who want to kill us.”
“Your problem. Not mine.”
Yusuke gritted his teeth.
“Three months, Urameshi. Gather your allies. Ready yourselves.” Arashi started to walk away. He paused and looked at Yusuke. “You’re all going to die, regardless, but… at least make it a challenge for me. Keep me entertained.” With a chuckle that made Yusuke’s skin crawl, he walked into the darkness and disappeared.
Yusuke would’ve loved to blast Arashi to kingdom come, but he couldn’t risk it, not with the threats Arashi made; Yusuke was sure Arashi would follow through with his threats. Yusuke also couldn’t believe something else: his fist was shaking. Something about Arashi got to him. He hated it when that happened. But he had to get past that and ready himself to face this new challenge. So much for a period of peace. It was nice while it lasted.
But, Yusuke’s mind went back to the matter at hand.
The Dark Tournament. Three months to prepare. Plenty of time. Yusuke hoped.
But the first step was getting everybody together. The main problem was, when Toguro threatened Yusuke to enter the Dark Tournament, Yusuke knew a little bit about the dangerous fighter. He knew next to nothing about Arashi. Yusuke needed to learn more about Arashi and there was one person who could help him with that.
Yusuke met with Koenma the following morning at a restaurant downtown. They made small talk for a few minutes, with Yusuke not divulging anything yet. But Koenma wasn’t a fool. Koenma had been friends with Yusuke long enough to know when he was hiding something important.
“Alright, Yusuke,” Koenma said, finally, “what was so bad you had to contact me?”
Yusuke decided now was as good as time as any. “You know about what happened with Hiei, right? The whole deal with the Hellknights?”
“Yeah. Botan gave me a full account of everything.”
“Yeah, well, here’s the thing,” Yusuke leaned on the table. “After all that, some guy came by my house to see me.”
“Who?”
Yusuke sighed. “That’s just it. I need to ask you something.” He paused. “What do you know about a guy named Arashi?”
Koenma’s face went rigid with horror. “Demon Sorcerer Arashi?”
“I guess. Said he is the Lord of… Deathhead Island?”
“Deathlocke.” Koenma sat back rubbing his mouth. He lowered his hand, “What did he want with you?”
“He challenged me and the team to a new Dark Tournament he’s organizing in three months,” Yusuke answered.
“Oh, no…”
“Yeah. I can tell he’s strong.”
“You don’t know the half of it.” Koenma shook his head. “But why? Why is he after you?”
“It’s not me he wants.”
“Who?”
Yusuke sighed. “Koenma… he said he’s after Botan.”
Koenma sat back. “Botan?”
Yusuke nodded.
“But why?”
Yusuke sat in silence for a few seconds, not quite sure how to verbalize this.
“At no point, have you been short on words. So, just tell me!”
Yusuke exhaled. “He said that she’s his daughter.”
Koenma’s eyes went even wider. That sentence went through his mind over a dozen in times before he could speak again. “What the hell are you talking about, Yusuke?!” he shouted.
“Don’t yell at me! I don’t know anything! A little rat bastard of his scanned us when that Goto guy had us captured! Next thing I know, Arashi shows up at my house to say Botan’s his daughter and he’s coming after all of us if we don’t show up at the Tournament!”
Koenma looked around, confused. “But… what can he do with Botan?”
“He said he wants her heart,” Yusuke replied.
“Her what?”
“He said he wants her heart… to become more powerful.”
Koenma’s eyes went wider. He knew such a thing was possible, just not often attempted. He rubbed his forehead. “This is bad. This is very bad.”
“Why?” Yusuke asked.
Koenma exhaled. “I’ll have to explain later.” He got up. “Listen. Don’t do anything until you hear from me again. Just… give me a couple of days. And, whatever you do, don’t tell Botan anything! You got it?”
“Koenma…”
“Do you understand?!”
“Koenma, come on, what…”
“Yusuke!” Koenma shouted. “JUST DO IT! For once, do something without arguing with me! Just wait! ALRIGHT?!”
Yusuke jumped back. Koenma was usually very calm. And even his most excited fits never seemed this nerve-wracking. That immediately told Yusuke this was nothing to make jokes about. Not right now, anyway.
“Okay,” Yusuke nodded. “You got it.”
Koenma hurried out of the diner.
Arashi was busy at work in his alchemic circle, perfecting his powers for the coming tournament. Sitting with his legs crossed, he was weaving spells within his own body, moving his hands around in slow, methodical motions. Tap and Taka approached their master, stopping just outside of his circle.
Arashi opened his eyes and placed his hands on his knees. “What is it?”
“The word has spread throughout Demon World, my lord,” the tall, black-haired Taka answered. “Complete with details, several teams are showing interest. So far… we have what we need.”
“Very good, Taka. You continue to serve me well.”
Taka bowed. “My lord.” He rose up.
“But once word is known about the girl, won’t she be easy to capture, my lord?” Tap asked. “We can take her now!”
Arashi smiled. “We could.” He paused. “We could capture her now and only be met with minimal resistance from that fool King Enma. But… no. We will give Yusuke a chance to honor his end of the bargain. Besides… I wish to conquer that boy and his team. It’ll make my victory all the sweeter. And it will show all in Demon World and the Spirit World who the true master is and who they should all truly fear and worship.”
Tap and Taka nodded.
“They will clamor and struggle, but they will ultimately fall to us. And we will revel in it.” Arashi stood up. “Victory, gentlemen. It’s only worth it when it’s won and taken.” He walked out of the circle, “Go gather our team. We need to make sure all is prepared.”
“My lord,” they said simultaneously.
After they left, Arashi looked at his circle. “It’s so close. No more skulking about or planning to claim my power. It is all within my reach now. Soon… I will have my perfect victory. I will have my daughter’s heart. I will become a god.”
Next Chapter: Who is Arashi?
Koenma learns the truth of Arashi and shares it with the others, including Botan. Is he really her father? How did this come to be? And how will Botan take the news?