Calm Before the Storm

A Samurai Troopers-YuYu Hakusho crossover...

Someone was shaking him. "No, Ma, I'm not going to school today...," he mumbled, trying to push the hands away.

The voice came louder, and was definitely not his mother's, as the hands shook him more urgently. "Urameshi, wake up!" Yusuke groaned, and put a precautionary hand to his head, expecting the usual headache when he regained consciousness after some of his battles. But upon opening his eyes, he found he was fine, experiencing a bit of shock at the fact. Glancing down at himself to make sure, he discovered that his clothes were ripped and blood-spotted, but except for some deep wounds left from the Insect Flute battle, he was feeling better then during the past few months.

A movement caught his eyes, and he looked up to see Kuwabara making a fool of himself as usual, grinning and making V-signs with his hands. Kuwabara laughed, and shook his finger at Yusuke. "About time you get up, Urame--" His exclamation was cut short by Yusuke leaping onto him and proceeding to punch out any brains Kuwabara might have.

"Don't you _ever_ do that to me again, you useless bone-headed idiot!" Yusuke yelled as he pummeled Kuwabara. "First you don't tell me if Botan and Keiko made it safe or not, now this! The next time you scare me like this, I'll beat you so bloody even Koenma won't know how to identify you!"

A startled gasp interrupted him, telling him for the first time that the two detectives were not alone. Turning and stopping his hand in mid-punch inches from Kuwabara's now very bruised face, his brown eyes widened, and he drew in a breath between clenched teeth. He was in a small park, finally noticing his surroundings, and also that there were seven people staring in shock at him, the Samurai Troopers and their two companions. Kaosu apparently wasn't paying attention, his back was turned as he knelt next to the unconscious Sh'ten.

"Ummm...." Yusuke let go of Kuwabara, who staggered back a few steps before he fell with a loud thump onto his back. "Well, hi...um...," he grinned and waved, getting embarrassed by the stares. "We usually fight like this all the time..." Yusuke said off-handedly, before he trailed off. He felt his cheeks grow hot, he wasn't used to a big audience watching him when he fought. Trying to change the subject, he then realized how many Troopers there were. "Oh, um... I see you found the rest of them, Ryo..." He put his hand behind his head, knowing it wasn't working, when he remembered seeing Sh'ten behind the Troopers. "What's he doing here? I thought he was with them," he pointed upwards towards the giant castle.

There was silence before, "He was brought here by Kaosu-sama," Ryo spoke up. "Arago tried to retrieve him after Shu defeated him. I have no clue why, since he's one of the MaSho." His eyes grew hard for a second, then one of his eyebrows rose as he looked more closely at Yusuke. "What I want to know is, where you went to after we helped Seiji."

"Oh," Yusuke blinked, before suddenly being reminded of the previous day's events. "Oh, remember how Kuwabara had been captured by the Youja." He explained that Kuwabara had trapped him and was about to kill him. "And if it hadn't been for a couple of earthquakes, I wouldn't have been able to destroy the thing that had possessed him."

"You're welcome..." One of the Troopers said with a lopsided grin, he was wearing orange armor. "I'm Kongo no Shu, by the way. Ryo told us about you." After the other Troopers had been introduced, Ryo turned to Kaosu while the others talked amongst themselves. Yusuke took this to mean that he was off the hook for beating up Kuwabara, who was now semi-conscious and being tended to by Nasty and Jun, the woman and small boy that accompanied the Troopers. Yusuke took in a deep breath as he looked around again, wondering what to do, when he noticed his bag, dirty and a little torn. He blinked in surprise, he must have dragged it with him unconsciously after battling Kuwabara. He shook his head and poked through it, letting out a small gasp as he saw that everything was still in there. Yusuke dug out a clean white shirt and walked towards the small pond near some taller trees. Discarding his blood-stained shirt and washing his face, he looked at his reflection in the pool. The Trooper named Korin no Seiji had told him that he had healed them after they had collapsed coming back from the park. Even so, the wounds and scars from his fight with Suzaku were still noticeable, probably too deep even for Seiji to heal completely. He touched a certain spot on his shoulder where part of the skin was still open and looking somewhat burned, and winced, one of Suzaku's energy arrows had found their mark and had gone right through the shoulder, barely missing the bones. He sighed, and put on a fresh bandage he had borrowed from Nasty. He quickly put the shirt on when he heard someone approach him, and made some show of going through his pack.

"Urameshi..." It was Kuwabara, as he sat down near him. His reflection in the pool showed him to have a serious and somewhat worried expression on his face. "Are you all right? I mean, I'm sorry I got you into this mess."

Yusuke sighed, and tried to brush back his hair which was now falling into his eyes, inwardly surprised at his partner's mood. "It's ok, you weren't exactly yourself, you know..." He turned from the pond, and looked at their new friends. "What do you make of them?"

His partner took a long time in answering him, gazing at the Troopers with narrowed eyes. "They're our age and appear normal, " he said softly after a minute. "But with that armor, it's like it enhances them. They don't know it now, but the armor is so much a part of them that each one is making minute changes to the wearer's body." He shrugged. "I also don't know if I can trust it, but I caught a brief image of a figure in white when I first saw Ryo. That was a lot better vision then what I saw when I was brought before that demon up there."

"Arago?!" Yusuke exclaimed, which made everyone in the park stop and look at the two detectives. "You saw him face to face?"

"Yeah, and that's all there is of him," Kuwabara looked down at his hands, trying unsuccessfully to repress a shudder. "Just a giant samurai helmet filled with almost unlimited evil, and lots of youja and spirit priests to support him. I saw...," he hesitated briefly,"...people screaming in fear as they were sucked into his gaping mouth, and that frightened me more than anything at Baasan's tournament or in the demon city of Youma..."

"Kuwabara..." Yusuke was at a loss of words, this was a side of Kuwabara he'd hardly ever seen. With Kuwabara, it'd always been a brawn-more-then-brains thing. But now Yusuke realized that Kuwabara was more intelligent then he took him to be. He was startled out of his amazement as he felt his watch quivering on his wrist. "Oh no..." He knew what that meant. "Here's where I get it..." Yusuke sighed, and pushed the button that let him talk to Koenma.

"You stupid idiot!" Koenma's voice shouted, and Yusuke blinked, looking around, since it wasn't coming from his watch. He gasped as he now saw the prince of the Rei-kei in his teen form, more for the others that froze as they saw him appear. His brown eyes glared at the two detectives as he looked to be standing on the surface of the pool.

"Koenma!" Yusuke burst out, and sucked in a breath. "I, um... "

"I know what you've been doing, you irresponsible dolt!" Koenma certainly lost his blue pacifier as he continued on. "It's a lucky thing that the situation isn't already messed up more then it actually is!" There was a movement off to the side, and Kurama walked into view as he tried to calm Koenma down.

"Kurama!" Kuwabara exclaimed. "You're all right!"

"Hi Kuwabara-kun and Yusuke," Kurama smiled as he bowed slightly, more out of habitory courtesy then anything else. "I see everything went well, better then it was before." A muffled "Hn" could be heard in the background. Yusuke smirked, knowing Hiei was still there, and didn't like being cooped in any place, let alone with Koenma.

"Hello again, Koenma-sama," Kaosu said quietly as he and the others approached the pond. There were no words from the Troopers as they watched Kaosu and Yusuke, as well as the images on the water. Yusuke glanced at Touma just in time to notice the narrowed eyes as he saw Kurama.

Koenma was calm enough to speak now, "There isn't much time before Arago discovers I'm in contact with you, since I haven't been able to establish anything til now. Yusuke, I'll talk to you later, but for now, something has come up." He looked at Shu penetratingly, then back at Kaosu. "Kaosu, you must tell them about the yoroi. Otherwise, the doubts that Shu Rei Fan carries will spread to the others."

Shu gasped. "How'd--" But Ryo held up a hand, and Shu was silent.

"Yes, I think the time has come, Koenma-sama. I had felt that I could not tell them the information until they were ready, but I see now that there can be no more delays." Kaosu bowed his head, then a small smile lit on his face. "And don't be so hard on the boy, as I understand he is still new to this. I feel that, in time, he will come to understand his purpose." Kaosu turned serious as he looked at the Troopers. "Samurai Troopers, there is something I must tell you, as you've gathered." He walked over to the unconscious MaSho, with the Troopers following behind him with puzzled expressions on their faces.

Koenma sighed, as he and Kurama looked at the two Rei-kai detectives. He shrugged, and pointed at them. "Since I can't trust you two to get out of there without attracting any trouble, and I can't send Botan or anyone else to pick you up, I want both of you to observe and make sure the Samurai Troopers and their companions get the help they need," and he emphasized, "IF they need it. This is a delicate balance, and certain things must happen for the Samurai Troopers, even some bad events, but they don't need you two to come charging in and wrecking it. I must leave now, or else there may be certain ramifications..."

Yusuke nodded as he and Kuwabara agreed, which was a rarity when he usually talked to Koenma. "Be careful, my friends..." Kurama added before the picture wavered and disappeared.

The Troopers were listening to Kaosu as he was explaining about Sh'ten and their own armor. Yusuke yawned again, and sat over by a tree near the edge of the pond. "Well, nothing left to do now but wait..." He listened to the conversation for a while before he let himself fall asleep.
******

Arago was not pleased as the demon spied on the park down in the city, the monk was there, as were the Troopers, the ReiKai detectives, and Sh'ten. The sight of Sh'ten among the Troopers angered him as much as it scared him secretly. If Sh'ten was turned to their side, thus letting them gain more power... he snarled at the thought.

A small flicker of energy flared in the middle of the candlesticks that stood in a half-circle around his throne. The main spirit priest, Badamon, dressed in his flowing black robes appeared as the flare died away, his peering black eyes taking in everything, including the picture on the viewing screen.

"My Lord Arago," Badamon addressed the demon, who was still snarling. "I have finished analyzing the Rei-Kai detective we held prisoner, and it is as you suspected, we can use him and the other one to ambush the Rei-kai. Their powers would be enough to break the barriers that protect the many objects that are stored there, as well as the one guarding the young prince. Kayura's mission was a success, even ascertaining the bodyguards was a stroke of luck."

"Hmmm..." Arago thought this through for several minutes. "If I can get the detectives under my control, I will be able to have all the power I require to invade countless worlds. They will be expecting me to retrieve Sh'ten, but I will also send youja to capture the Rei-kai detectives." He laughed, the evil sound echoing throughout the dark chamber. "Very well then, summon the MaSho!"
******

Yusuke woke up suddenly, Kuwabara was snoring loudly beside him, and the Troopers were still conversing with Kaosu. He sighed softly, feeling very bored, and got up, figuring on exploring. He took one last look around the clearing, then slipped into the trees before anyone noticed that he had gone.

He was almost out of the park when it seemed to him that the air had changed, it seemed thicker and colder. Narrowing his eyes, he glanced around, getting the feeling of being watched, or rather being hunted as his arms came up unconsciously to protect himself. He backed up slowly, brown eyes searching everywhere, until he felt a tree touch his back. He heard a movement over in the bushes to the right, and was looking over in that direction, when the 'tree' grabbed him. He let out a startled yell, and tried to fight back, before something crashed into the side of his head. Just before he blacked out, he thought he saw a flash of blue.

Touma glanced around, something seemed different in this part of the park. Kaosu had told them to conceal themselves in the trees so he could talk to the now-stirring Sh'ten. So he had walked into the woods, mulling over the things Kaosu had told them, he just couldn't believe that the armors he and the others possessed was the same as the MaSho, and that all nine armors had originated in the Evil Empire itself. He sighed, then his eyes widened as a shout that was cut short interrupted his thoughts, and he guessed the direction to be near the front entrance of the park. And it sounded... familiar? 'Yusuke,' he thought to himself as he began to run, remembering now that he hadn't seen him where he had been sleeping by the pond before.

He rushed towards the source, and saw a youja holding Yusuke, who was trying to fight against him, when another soldier came up from behind and hit Yusuke with its heavy metal glove. Yusuke stiffened before he went limp against the soldier. The other started to pick him up when two golden arrows flew, hitting both and leaving Yusuke to fall on the ground surrounded by pieces of empty armor. Touma checked him, but other then the small lump by his ear, Yusuke appeared to be all right.

"Tenku no Touma," he heard the now-familiar voice behind him and turned to Kaosu, holding the unconscious detective in his arms. "A youja tried to take him," Touma stated as he looked down at Yusuke. "I know Ryo told us about him, but is it true? I mean, I've heard rumors about him, and even met him along with his friend Shuichi."

Kaosu nodded, "I know it is strange, especially considering his past. But ever since he has come back from the Rei-kai and resurrected he has changed his delinquent ways." He raised his head, revealing a glimpse of the eyes that glowed. "No one has ever come back from the Rei-kai unchanged..." He looked like he was about to continue, when the rings on his staff jangled once, then erupted into a discordant melody.

"What is it?" Touma stared at the staff in shock, knowing from past experiances that it must mean something bad.

Arago has sent the MaSho to recover Sh'ten, and used the diversion of taking Yusuke, I see it now." Kaosu said in alarm as he looked at his staff. "Give the Rei-kai detective to me, and try to defend Sh'ten from Arago's forces. I will look after Yusuke and keep him safe from capture."

Touma nodded, and after placing Yusuke on the ground, ran towards the clearing where the sounds of fighting could now be heard.

Kaosu was intent on watching the fight between the MaSho and the Samurai Troopers, when a soft groan next to him turned his attention. Yusuke's eyes were fluttering open, and he put a hand to his head. "Oooh, this time my head hurts..." He peered up at Kaosu, "Wha...What happened?" and then sat up. "A youja, I think..."

Kaosu nodded, and touched his hand to Yusuke's head. Yusuke winced, then he realized that the pain was gone, along with something that he had only glimpsed for a spilt second before it faded from his memory. There was a look of sadness around Kaosu as the fighting in the clearing died away, and a beam of light poured down from the castle above. "That settles it then. If Arago is to be stopped, then I have no choice, but to help them as much as I can. However it will mean that I will have to make the ultimate sacrifice to give them that chance."

"No!" Kaosu looked calmly at Yusuke as he shook his head. "There has to be another way--" He tried to stand up, but Kaosu's hand on his shoulder impaired him.

"I understand how you feel, but you do not yet have the power to help the Samurai Troopers," Kaosu said grimly. "Also, you will be needed in your own time and place when you do require that power."

"But..." Yusuke stood up, and this time Kaosu permitted him to. The ancient monk smiled peacefully at Yusuke as he held up a hand to interrupt him. "This is my battle. As you well know, we of the Reikai Tantei must face many tests, both mundane and spiritual. Go to the Samurai Troopers, for as Koenma has said, you must guide them to their eventual destinies, either good or bad. I must also ask your assistance to protect the woman and the child, they will be unguarded from the youja as the wearers of the Yoroi fight Arago, though you will have help from my friend Byakkuen." He turned towards the gate, but paused for a moment, turning his head to look at Yusuke. "Tell Koenma that I will see him soon, though I may see him first before you, and to recover my descendant when she first reappears in the human world." As Kaosu walked out of the park, the staff ringing with every step, Yusuke heard his voice as if from far away, "Good luck in your battles Urameshi Yusuke, but I also will tell you that as much as you persevere in your own fights against the darkness, you will know when the time comes when you will have to make the same sacrifice for your friends and loved ones..." Kaosu's voice died away.

Yusuke stood alone in the trees, a sudden wind swirling his hair in front of his eyes. Pushing the stubborn locks out of his face absently, he hesitated between going after Kaosu anyway, or doing as he had been directed and go back to the clearing to find the Troopers. A fork of lightning branched down from the castle to hit one of the nearby buildings, and this made his decision for him. His brown eyes set determinedly as he left the park.

Entering the quiet street, he glanced both ways, not sure of which way Kaosu had taken. He picked one that led farther into town, sure the monk was going to take Arago on. He liked the old guy, even if he was weird, and in spite of what Kaosu had said, he was resolved to help him. His spirit sense perked up at a disturbance occuring three blocks over, seeming like a contest of two wills battling with a lot of energy. 'That must be Kaosu... Arago must have picked up on him...,'Yusuke thought as he started to run up the street.

Trying to pinpoint the area where Kaosu was fighting, Yusuke didn't see the large white shape appear out of nowhere until he heard a loud growling right in front of him. He just about stumbled as Byakkuen stood growling in his path, and barely stopped before he could trip over the animal. Yusuke gasped, gaping at the huge white tiger, having never seen any tigers up close, let alone a white tiger with seeming intelligence. The large blue feline eyes held his large brown eyes as the tiger growled once more.

Yusuke knew he was blocking his way, and tried to go around, but Byakkuen shook his(he could never call Byakkuen a 'it' now!) head and took Yusuke's wrist into his mouth. Yusuke's breath caught, but he soon realized that Byakkuen was only holding him there, as the sharp-looking teeth were not actually breaking the skin. He tried to pull away from the tiger, but though Byakkuen was being careful, he was not foolish as he growled once more, and Yusuke seethed and yelled at Byakkuen as he figured he would not be able to progress any further.

He stopped his struggling as one the powers that were in the contest suddenly ceased to fight, as if it had given up. A second later, whistling could be heard echoing down the street as the sky lit up. Byakkuen had turned, and Yusuke had just barely looked up, when the earth blew up around them. He could feel himself being flung back several feet, but though it appeared Byakkuen had sheilded him by taking most of the blast as he flew back, the tiger was unhurt. Yusuke got up, feeling some of the bruises he knew were forming all over his body, and froze as he realized that the building they had been standing next to had lost almost all of its outer wall, leaving only dust laying in big piles next to the building.

A sudden burst of power overwhelmed him, leaving him slightly dizzy, but it cleared as a funnel of light blue power swirled up towards the sky, breaking the clouds surrounding the castle and letting a small glimpse of sunlight appear to shine down on him. "No..." He shook his head as his sense told him the signature of the power in the funnel. "No, he couldn't have! He didn't!!" He hit the side of the building next to him, finishing some of the job the blast had started. His eyes misted over, and he dashed his hand angrily across them as he heard the footsteps racing towards him and Byakkuen.