[It's perhaps a little comical, the way Yusuke startles upon the sound of a sudden familiar voice, snapping his head towards it like a marionette whose strings had suddenly been sharply tugged.]
Kurama?!
[Buddy, you coulda started with a "hi". But he grins a moment afterward as he recovers and it sets in -- he's really not alone here, figuring this out. First Hiei and now Kurama...just a couple of years ago, the idea of having people in his life he'd be relieved to have with him in an unknown situation like this would've been hard to imagine, and even now, it surprises him a little to recognize it in himself. Just when had he stopped being that angry loner sleepwalking his way through life? It feels strange to think on, like it was a lifetime ago.
Perhaps it was, to be technical. None of the things that had changed for him could've been possible if he hadn't been hit by that car and died, after all. Odd how it might have been the best thing ever to happen to him.
Nonetheless, perhaps it would be for the best to...ah, respond? rather than stare at his friend as though trying to be very sure he's not experiencing a mirage or something equally stupid.]
Yeah...just a few hours ago. [He lets out a light exhale. Kurama's observation makes more sense than the idea that this festival is for them, but it still sits uncomfortably.]
You'd think these guys would be more nervous about hanging out with criminals, if that's the case.
[Hell, his teachers had been desperate to get rid of him back when he was just a Punk Delinquent™ after all.]
[Kurama does not allow himself to look too amused by that reaction, even if he does risk a faint smile. Maybe if someone hadn't greeted him with a question the moment he sat down, he would have offered a simple hello, but truly, Yusuke only has himself to blame for this.
The fox is, of course, seemingly unbothered by the whole thing, to the uninitiated anyway. Yusuke would likely recognize the tension in his posture, but unlike the others, his didn't ease with comfort of their presence here. If anything, it makes the whole situation feel far more targeted to not be alone in this abduction, and it certainly means more for him to worry about.
Still, they do share that new outlook on life, amazing what near death experiences and forced trust building exercises can do for a couple of loners. It was hard to imagine life without everyone, these days.]
You'd think. Something tells me they're far too used to the presence of Chosen ones, so this may be their idea of normal, actually. An ill fitting title for a group of off-world criminals if you ask me, but perhaps the name is part of their attempts to lower our guard concerning our reasons for being here.
[Yusuke understands on some level, how having others around that you care for can add to the stress of the situation; Genkai had once called him out on his reluctance to commit to anything, the way he held himself back to protect himself in case things didn't work out. It's terrifying, having something important to you that you can lose -- he knows it only too well, after all this time. But on the other side of the coin, if it weren't for that, he wouldn't have anything to anchor himself by in this place. He'd left them for the Demon World by choice, for his own reasons, but there were no such goals to pursue here. Apparently not even anyone to fight for a ticket back, that anyone knew of. He'd simply be adrift.
Instead, he can fall back on old familiar patterns, and for that he's grateful, more than even he's really able to admit even to himself. He huffs irritably, crossing his arms.]
That's another thing that's weird as hell about this place. What's "Chosen" even supposed to mean, anyway? Chosen for what? Not like we're exactly forming kickball teams over here. It's stupid and vague and it pisses me off.
[Having each other to rely on would make things easier, especially with the worry that the others they cared about were back home without them. Not that they'd want any of the humans here for this, but Kurama, at least, can't help being concerned about who would be there for them, especially his mother. Unlike Yusuke, the fox doesn't need goals to keep from wandering adrift, he was always capable of finding some project to focus on, ever alert and plotting. Learning about this place would be enough work for awhile, at any rate. No doubt that Hiei and Yusuke would handle the “trying to brute force their way out” end of things, regardless.
He glances at Yusuke curiously as he crosses his arms, a sure sign of unease, as if Kurama needed any more indication. Still, he's far less disturbed by the name than the other appears to be. Even if he doesn't like it, the idea is hardly unheard of.]
It doesn't seem any more strange to me than a Tournament that calls their prisoners guests.
[On his end, Yusuke isn't especially worried about Keiko or his own mom or Kuwabara handling things on their own -- though given his place in the timeline, he is a little dissatisfied with leaving the tournament unsettled, especially when Kurama and Hiei are here as well. That leaves Mukuro and Raizen's old allies to keep Yomi from taking power, and he has no real idea how strong any of them are. Perhaps more importantly, there's a promise he intended to keep, and being trapped somewhere indefinitely leaves a bad taste in his mouth. Sure, Keiko would probably forgive him if he broke his word -- longsuffering sighs most likely included -- but he doesn't like it.
Not that Kurama doesn't have a point about the situation not being so different from ones they've faced in the past. Yusuke sighs, letting his arms down so he can rub at his neck instead, adding to the restlessness and discomfort pouring off his body language.]
...Yeah, that's a good point. At least back then Toguro had the decency to just outright threaten to murder us and everyone we care about if we didn't play ball, though. These jerks just grabbed us and fucked off without a word like, hey criminals, welcome to prison, enjoy the festival and the other shoe about to drop! The hell with that shit.
[Kurama is thankfully not too concerned, it wasn't as if his mother was entirely alone these days and he had opted to voluntarily go to demon world, so being inaccessible wasn't entirely foreign either, but- they were actually trapped here for an undetermined amount of time. He couldn't even call her, to check that she was safe. Yusuke's loved ones are aware of what he's dealing with at least, while his own human family remains oblivious. The fact that he was the one keeping it that way didn't make it any easier to deal with. Of course, he's also unaware of Yusuke's more pressing fears that one of the demon kings might try to overthrow the whole situation. Kurama has context that Yusuke does not, on that topic.
The fox settles more comfortably as Yusuke rubs at his neck, as if subconsciously communicating a desire for him to calm down. The restless energy was certainly infectious.]
Being violently held hostage would appeal more to your way of thinking, wouldn't it?
[Is that a dig or an observation? It may be hard to tell with the tone of his delivery. Honestly, he should have realized - Hiei, as well, would find this more suspicious, having functioned the way he did before coming into their lives. They were both so straightforward about things.]
I think I prefer the festival, actually.
[Maybe because being a demon meant always living life waiting for the next shoe to drop, so this wasn't entirely unusual for him. It wasn't as if he got a normal human childhood, protecting his territory from other demons who tried to move in on it. At least here, they would be allowed a bit of a reprieve for normalcy on occasion, something he'd really come to enjoy living as a human all this time.]
[Yusuke's not quite certain how much his mom understands about the whole situation, admittedly, considering she asked him to get her a pack of cigarettes on the way back from demon world, but it's also somewhat different for him, he knows. It's not as though they have the relationship where he'd hack demon world technology to be able to keep in touch with her every day, after all. Before Botan took him to that wake, he hadn't even really considered she might be upset to lose him.
Kurama's persistent calm does settle him a little, though. Especially with that callout that has him a little huffy but in that way where you can't even really say anything because you've been nailed to the wall with deadly accuracy.]
It's just weird. This whole thing feels almost like a bribe, you know? To shut up and behave while waiting for whatever they're gonna do to us. And we don't even know what they want.
[Keiko and Kuwabara know, at least, but Kurama wasn’t fully aware of the details of Yusuke’s whole situation. Exactly where he is from on the timeline being a notable factor he lacks context for. From where he is standing, Atsuko knows exactly what is going on. She was there for their last huge mission, after all, it’s just that Yusuke doesn’t know about that, yet.
Even if Yusuke had a close enough relationship with his mother to want to stay in touch, patching technology to Demon World certainly wasn’t in his skillset. Regardless, neither one of them are able to communicate with home from here and that was the real issue that they would all be dealing with on this world. Well, except for Hiei, when everyone he bothered to care about was right here with him. Or, so he’d claim, at least.
Kurama, once again, does not let on to his amusement at Yusuke’s clear huffiness, perceptive as he is to the other’s shift in mood. He’ll just politely refrain from acknowledging it, focused on the topic at hand, instead.]
Perhaps. Although, it seems more likely that they are continuing on with their traditions despite our presence, rather than with us in mind. That said, we don’t truly know anything about who brought us here, but I do not imagine they have anything at all to do with the festivities or planning them. It is quite possible that the authorities of both are unrelated to each other.
[Green eyes turn back to the fire before he continues along that line of thought, always thinking of strategy and attempting to stay three steps ahead. Makes it a lot easier to see that other shoe coming before it finallly drops.]
Patience will serve us better under these circumstances, demanding answers is unlikely to earn us any favors with our captors and threats do little when you aren’t even aware who you’re leveling them at. For now, we should focus on collecting intel without raising suspicion.
[Yes, he is aware who he's talking to, but Yusuke could be trusted with strategy more than some might expect.]
[Truly, it's impressive how thoroughly Kurama is able to wrangle his temper simply by refusing to provide it any fuel. Yusuke just lets out an aggrieved noise and flops backward into the sand, staring up into the night sky where there's still traces of color from the fireworks. Perhaps part of what freaks him out about all this is how genuinely celebratory the atmosphere is, frankly. Nobody eyes them with suspicion or moves to the other side of the street or even to challenge them to see if they live up to their reputation as criminals. He's just some kid, and Yusuke's not sure how to deal with that. For all that he'd embraced his reputation as a punk and a thug back home, he's never actually been the sort of person who terrorizes people just trying to exist peacefully to entertain himself. He picked fights with the type of people who wanted them, with a chip on their shoulder and something to prove just like him.]
I don't even know where to start.
[He admits, finally, voice softer now. Without turning to look to his friend, he adds:]
I've never been great at figuring out how to solve problems I couldn't punch.
[His head tilts, glancing back in Yusuke's direction as he drops onto the sand. Kurama doesn't move, simply regarding him quietly until he speaks. He doesn't have the experience to think on that the way Yusuke does, he intimidated no one as a human and it had never been his looks that scared other demons. A metaphorical smokescreen, legends and rumors were used to invoke fear in others, they didn't even necessarily know what he looked like. No one was crossing streets or protecting their kids from Shuichi Minamino, he'd lived a rather privileged life.
When Kurama speaks, he's hesitant, cautious. As if afraid to say the wrong thing entirely and taking the time to really consider his words. The fox treading carefully here, keeping things vague enough, perhaps more aware that something is off than even he realizes at a conscious level.]
That's not entirely true...
[He smiles softly again, more fond than amused despite the words that follow, as if in direct contrast of his previous pointed sincerity.]
It is rare, but I've seen you use your head a number of times, actually.
[Yes, he absolutely does have to get that dig in there, just trying to keep the mood light.]
[Fffff. Thanks buddy, your faith in him is so touching!!]
Shut uuuupp....
[He half-groans, half-whines, though it's a weak protest at best. He's burned out his temper already, which really just leaves the unsettled anxiety coiled in the pit of his gut. It perhaps speaks to how much he and Kurama have been through together that he's willing to reveal his belly, as it were, to his friend, already speaking more frankly than he would be willing to do with just about anyone else.]
It's just -- everything that's happened since I became Spirit Detective, I knew what I had to do next. Get back the Dark Artifacts before Koenma's dad found out. Show Genkai I was the best suited for her powers so that Rando asshole couldn't have them. Bust into Maze Castle and destroy the Makai Whistle to save everyone from those bugs. Win the Dark Tournament so we wouldn't all be killed. Stop Sensui from opening the portal to the Demon World.
[He sighs.]
Going back to regular life after all that had just seemed so pointless.
[When Raizen's men had come for him, it had been something of a relief. A distraction from the boredom, a place to focus his frustrations.]
And now here we are, kidnapped by shady guys to some weird place, and we're supposed to just...what? Gamble on cards, eat snacks, tell scary stories over the fire? Pretend like everything's fucking normal while we just wait for someone to fuck with us? I can't stand it. Makes me wanna break shit until I piss someone off enough to show their face.
[And he seems quite pleased with himself about it, too. The amusement in his expression is apparently only encouraged by Yusuke's response, faintly smug as if he'd just told the best joke ever and nailed the landing.
When Yusuke's tone shifts to something more somber, the fox watches him carefully, ready to be a listening ear and hear out his concerns. As he recounts the events since their meeting over those Dark Artifacts, Kurama can't help but notice that he stops prematurely. As if life simply went back to normal after Sensui? Strange. He isn't going to ask though, whatever that meant, Yusuke was not bringing it up for a reason and if that was not wanting to talk about it, pressing would do no one any favors. The idea that perhaps he didn't know or remember anything past several years ago was troubling- but that was for the redhead to worry about, now was not the time.]
It sounds familiar doesn't it?
[He has already brought up the parallels with the Dark Tournament, but that theme seems to be rather persistent.]
Not being in control of our own lives, but expected to continue living them as if we are. We've managed before playing by those rules and here it seems we have even more freedom to do as we'd like. We're not trapped in a hotel on an island waiting out the next battle to the death, are we? I think for now, we should make the most of that. In the meantime, it wouldn't hurt to use our time wisely and try to better understand this place.
[The lull after Sensui is what this festival most reminds him of, even if the Dark Tournament might be a more apt comparison. The fact of the matter is Kurama hit the nail on the head earlier when he'd said that it would've been easier for Yusuke if this were a violent kidnapping/hostage situation. He knows how to deal with people who directly and actively mean him and his harm. He doesn't know how to prepare for a threat he doesn't even know the shape of, one clearly trying to get him to lower his guard.
He doesn't reiterate the complaint this time, though. Instead, he grabs a fistful of sand, squeezing it tightly in his hand as though he could somehow make a diamond from the sheer pressure of his rage before he lets it stream out.]
How does playing games and watching fireworks tell us anything about what's going on here? We don't have any clues at all, or any idea who does.
[Hence, all his previous yelling. The only reason it has not continued is because he is not a perpetual motion machine, and can only sustain his temper for so long before he burns out of shit to lose.]
[Thankfully, he is more of an expert on the lull. The quiet waiting, the knowledge that someone may be about to stab you in the back or ambush you without warning. That's the life he had grown accustomed to well before any of them had even been born. That was the life of a demon, and without the luxury of things like festivals and arcades that the humans had taken for granted all their lives.
Kurama waits until he's sure Yusuke is done speaking before he answers, watching the sand sift through his fingers. An action that should be relaxing, but the fox isn't convinced anything would calm him any more than he already was. It wasn't as if his frustration wasn't justified, either.]
We listen.
[Strategy was never Yusuke's strong point. He was good at it, in his own way, and he definitely knew how to surprise an opponent given the opportunity, but he wasn't Hiei hiding in trees or Kurama pointedly waiting for an opening, always forming new plans. Yusuke saved strategy for the battle., this would certainly be much harder on him.]
That's all we can do for now, try to pick up on what is being said and find clues from there. Ask around to see if any others have gotten leads. Sometimes the best action is inaction, Yusuke. You'd be surprised what people will talk about when they think no one else is paying them any attention.
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expiationlogs2024-06-10 07:58 am
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Kurama?!
[Buddy, you coulda started with a "hi". But he grins a moment afterward as he recovers and it sets in -- he's really not alone here, figuring this out. First Hiei and now Kurama...just a couple of years ago, the idea of having people in his life he'd be relieved to have with him in an unknown situation like this would've been hard to imagine, and even now, it surprises him a little to recognize it in himself. Just when had he stopped being that angry loner sleepwalking his way through life? It feels strange to think on, like it was a lifetime ago.
Perhaps it was, to be technical. None of the things that had changed for him could've been possible if he hadn't been hit by that car and died, after all. Odd how it might have been the best thing ever to happen to him.
Nonetheless, perhaps it would be for the best to...ah, respond? rather than stare at his friend as though trying to be very sure he's not experiencing a mirage or something equally stupid.]
Yeah...just a few hours ago. [He lets out a light exhale. Kurama's observation makes more sense than the idea that this festival is for them, but it still sits uncomfortably.]
You'd think these guys would be more nervous about hanging out with criminals, if that's the case.
[Hell, his teachers had been desperate to get rid of him back when he was just a Punk Delinquent™ after all.]
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The fox is, of course, seemingly unbothered by the whole thing, to the uninitiated anyway. Yusuke would likely recognize the tension in his posture, but unlike the others, his didn't ease with comfort of their presence here. If anything, it makes the whole situation feel far more targeted to not be alone in this abduction, and it certainly means more for him to worry about.
Still, they do share that new outlook on life, amazing what near death experiences and forced trust building exercises can do for a couple of loners. It was hard to imagine life without everyone, these days.]
You'd think. Something tells me they're far too used to the presence of Chosen ones, so this may be their idea of normal, actually. An ill fitting title for a group of off-world criminals if you ask me, but perhaps the name is part of their attempts to lower our guard concerning our reasons for being here.
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Instead, he can fall back on old familiar patterns, and for that he's grateful, more than even he's really able to admit even to himself. He huffs irritably, crossing his arms.]
That's another thing that's weird as hell about this place. What's "Chosen" even supposed to mean, anyway? Chosen for what? Not like we're exactly forming kickball teams over here. It's stupid and vague and it pisses me off.
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He glances at Yusuke curiously as he crosses his arms, a sure sign of unease, as if Kurama needed any more indication. Still, he's far less disturbed by the name than the other appears to be. Even if he doesn't like it, the idea is hardly unheard of.]
It doesn't seem any more strange to me than a Tournament that calls their prisoners guests.
[Oh, so very dryly. He's not bitter.]
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Not that Kurama doesn't have a point about the situation not being so different from ones they've faced in the past. Yusuke sighs, letting his arms down so he can rub at his neck instead, adding to the restlessness and discomfort pouring off his body language.]
...Yeah, that's a good point. At least back then Toguro had the decency to just outright threaten to murder us and everyone we care about if we didn't play ball, though. These jerks just grabbed us and fucked off without a word like, hey criminals, welcome to prison, enjoy the festival and the other shoe about to drop! The hell with that shit.
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The fox settles more comfortably as Yusuke rubs at his neck, as if subconsciously communicating a desire for him to calm down. The restless energy was certainly infectious.]
Being violently held hostage would appeal more to your way of thinking, wouldn't it?
[Is that a dig or an observation? It may be hard to tell with the tone of his delivery. Honestly, he should have realized - Hiei, as well, would find this more suspicious, having functioned the way he did before coming into their lives. They were both so straightforward about things.]
I think I prefer the festival, actually.
[Maybe because being a demon meant always living life waiting for the next shoe to drop, so this wasn't entirely unusual for him. It wasn't as if he got a normal human childhood, protecting his territory from other demons who tried to move in on it. At least here, they would be allowed a bit of a reprieve for normalcy on occasion, something he'd really come to enjoy living as a human all this time.]
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Kurama's persistent calm does settle him a little, though. Especially with that callout that has him a little huffy but in that way where you can't even really say anything because you've been nailed to the wall with deadly accuracy.]
It's just weird. This whole thing feels almost like a bribe, you know? To shut up and behave while waiting for whatever they're gonna do to us. And we don't even know what they want.
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Even if Yusuke had a close enough relationship with his mother to want to stay in touch, patching technology to Demon World certainly wasn’t in his skillset. Regardless, neither one of them are able to communicate with home from here and that was the real issue that they would all be dealing with on this world. Well, except for Hiei, when everyone he bothered to care about was right here with him. Or, so he’d claim, at least.
Kurama, once again, does not let on to his amusement at Yusuke’s clear huffiness, perceptive as he is to the other’s shift in mood. He’ll just politely refrain from acknowledging it, focused on the topic at hand, instead.]
Perhaps. Although, it seems more likely that they are continuing on with their traditions despite our presence, rather than with us in mind. That said, we don’t truly know anything about who brought us here, but I do not imagine they have anything at all to do with the festivities or planning them. It is quite possible that the authorities of both are unrelated to each other.
[Green eyes turn back to the fire before he continues along that line of thought, always thinking of strategy and attempting to stay three steps ahead. Makes it a lot easier to see that other shoe coming before it finallly drops.]
Patience will serve us better under these circumstances, demanding answers is unlikely to earn us any favors with our captors and threats do little when you aren’t even aware who you’re leveling them at. For now, we should focus on collecting intel without raising suspicion.
[Yes, he is aware who he's talking to, but Yusuke could be trusted with strategy more than some might expect.]
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I don't even know where to start.
[He admits, finally, voice softer now. Without turning to look to his friend, he adds:]
I've never been great at figuring out how to solve problems I couldn't punch.
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When Kurama speaks, he's hesitant, cautious. As if afraid to say the wrong thing entirely and taking the time to really consider his words. The fox treading carefully here, keeping things vague enough, perhaps more aware that something is off than even he realizes at a conscious level.]
That's not entirely true...
[He smiles softly again, more fond than amused despite the words that follow, as if in direct contrast of his previous pointed sincerity.]
It is rare, but I've seen you use your head a number of times, actually.
[Yes, he absolutely does have to get that dig in there, just trying to keep the mood light.]
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Shut uuuupp....
[He half-groans, half-whines, though it's a weak protest at best. He's burned out his temper already, which really just leaves the unsettled anxiety coiled in the pit of his gut. It perhaps speaks to how much he and Kurama have been through together that he's willing to reveal his belly, as it were, to his friend, already speaking more frankly than he would be willing to do with just about anyone else.]
It's just -- everything that's happened since I became Spirit Detective, I knew what I had to do next. Get back the Dark Artifacts before Koenma's dad found out. Show Genkai I was the best suited for her powers so that Rando asshole couldn't have them. Bust into Maze Castle and destroy the Makai Whistle to save everyone from those bugs. Win the Dark Tournament so we wouldn't all be killed. Stop Sensui from opening the portal to the Demon World.
[He sighs.]
Going back to regular life after all that had just seemed so pointless.
[When Raizen's men had come for him, it had been something of a relief. A distraction from the boredom, a place to focus his frustrations.]
And now here we are, kidnapped by shady guys to some weird place, and we're supposed to just...what? Gamble on cards, eat snacks, tell scary stories over the fire? Pretend like everything's fucking normal while we just wait for someone to fuck with us? I can't stand it. Makes me wanna break shit until I piss someone off enough to show their face.
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When Yusuke's tone shifts to something more somber, the fox watches him carefully, ready to be a listening ear and hear out his concerns. As he recounts the events since their meeting over those Dark Artifacts, Kurama can't help but notice that he stops prematurely. As if life simply went back to normal after Sensui? Strange. He isn't going to ask though, whatever that meant, Yusuke was not bringing it up for a reason and if that was not wanting to talk about it, pressing would do no one any favors. The idea that perhaps he didn't know or remember anything past several years ago was troubling- but that was for the redhead to worry about, now was not the time.]
It sounds familiar doesn't it?
[He has already brought up the parallels with the Dark Tournament, but that theme seems to be rather persistent.]
Not being in control of our own lives, but expected to continue living them as if we are. We've managed before playing by those rules and here it seems we have even more freedom to do as we'd like. We're not trapped in a hotel on an island waiting out the next battle to the death, are we? I think for now, we should make the most of that. In the meantime, it wouldn't hurt to use our time wisely and try to better understand this place.
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He doesn't reiterate the complaint this time, though. Instead, he grabs a fistful of sand, squeezing it tightly in his hand as though he could somehow make a diamond from the sheer pressure of his rage before he lets it stream out.]
How does playing games and watching fireworks tell us anything about what's going on here? We don't have any clues at all, or any idea who does.
[Hence, all his previous yelling. The only reason it has not continued is because he is not a perpetual motion machine, and can only sustain his temper for so long before he burns out of shit to lose.]
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Kurama waits until he's sure Yusuke is done speaking before he answers, watching the sand sift through his fingers. An action that should be relaxing, but the fox isn't convinced anything would calm him any more than he already was. It wasn't as if his frustration wasn't justified, either.]
We listen.
[Strategy was never Yusuke's strong point. He was good at it, in his own way, and he definitely knew how to surprise an opponent given the opportunity, but he wasn't Hiei hiding in trees or Kurama pointedly waiting for an opening, always forming new plans. Yusuke saved strategy for the battle., this would certainly be much harder on him.]
That's all we can do for now, try to pick up on what is being said and find clues from there. Ask around to see if any others have gotten leads. Sometimes the best action is inaction, Yusuke. You'd be surprised what people will talk about when they think no one else is paying them any attention.