A.N. At long last, we have arrived at the Dark Tournament and I am SO excited for what's in store. To new and old readers alike, welcome to Book 2. Things might seem a bit slow at first, but that will not last long, so strap yourselves in. It's going to be a crazy ride.

Ghost of Magic: Thanks, I appreciate the well wishes. Quite honestly they're driving me crazy so the sooner they go, the better. Hopefully the recovery won't be too awful, but either way I'm grateful that work has given me the time off I'll need, and I'm making sure I have the next few chapters ready to go in case something goes wrong.
I love your theories. Keep reading to see if any of them are right. But I can promise Sakura will kick plenty of ass in this book.

Wolfs child: Rinku vs. Kuwabara, with a few twists added. Thanks, I hope it goes well too. Hope you enjoy this chapter.

DimeADozen24: Thankyou so much! I'm really enjoying your own story as well and I'm honoured that someone of your writing ability thinks mine is binge-worthy, and I'm so thrilled you love Sakura. I didn't want her to be a Mary Sue/damsel in distress but I didn't want her to overshadow any of what already makes YYH such a brilliant series. So, you're torn between our two favourite demons? You'll have to wait and see what happens :) I'm so glad you're here on this journey.

hw134160: Quite honestly I'm sad about Book 1 being finished too. I loved every minute of writing it. Sorry about the cliffhanger, but I can't go giving everything away in the previews :P Hope you enjoy this chapter, you'll find out who Sakura ran into and whether she's ok.

Please follow, favourite and review, review, review. More reviews = more story updates.

PS: For future reference, any future release dates are AEST (Australian Eastern Standard Time), so for you lovely readers in the Northern Hemisphere, that might mean you get things a day earlier. LOL, time zones!

I don't own YYH, just my OCs.


Chapter 1

Sakura had her arms folded tightly across her body, as if she was trying to literally hold herself together. Nothing could settle her pounding heart. Yusuke was still dead to the world and they were about to emerge into the lion's den. And she knew, on the opposite side of the stadium, Team Rokuyukai also waited for their introduction. She trembled at the thought of who else might be part of the team. Rinku and Zeru had been irritating enough.

"Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Koto," the bubbly announcer said enthusiastically. "I'll be your cute host for this year's tournament and it's going to be a messy one. For those in the first few rows, raincoats are available,"

"Get on with it, would you!" a heckler bellowed from the front row. "We came for the fights, not your small talk! Bring out the competitors!"

"Bring 'em out, bring 'em out!" the crowd began chanting.

"Now, here's the introduction you've been waiting for! Team Rokuyukai!"

The crowd exploded in cheers and applause for the first team. Clearly fan favourites. The brat Rinku was at the front of the team. Behind him was Zeru, and the three other fighters bringing up the rear. Sakura rolled her eyes at the sight. One looked like he'd walked straight out of the 1970s hippie movement, another was your basic muscled beefcake who's IQ could be measured on one's fingers. The other demon caught her eye though. Thin and wiry with dull grey skin and piercing yellow eyes. But she had a feeling his hairstyle would have made Shizuru gag.

Sakura. The Masked Fighter made their presence known. Look at the box on the top level. The tournament committee is holed up inside. Somehow I doubt you'll be needed to fight in this round, so I'm giving you a job. See what they're up to.

Sure. Sakura gazed up at her target. Just like Master Shinsuke taught me. Tsunagu, show me the committee!


High above the action was the tournament committee, none other than the loathsome Black Black Club. Losing Tarukane from their midst had done precisely nothing to make them any less repulsive. The four of them lounged in comfortable chairs, drinking wine.

"Take a look at the view, friend. This is the kind of privilege you can't get by being 'good'. The box seat to oblivion before Lady Death takes us there herself,"

"What's your opinion on Rokuyukai, Sakyo? They've managed to raise a great deal of support among the lower class apparitions. I of course won't be cheering for them. I detest anyone those bottom-feeders like as a matter of principle. On the other hand, if anyone hopes to beat your team they'll need fan support. Someone like this Urameshi group won't stand a chance!"


Did you see? The Masked Fighter was hanging behind Sakura, communicating through telepathy.

Sakura gritted her teeth. High above harm's way was the collection of crime lords she so deeply despised. I can see it all. The committee is that group of Tarukane's pals. Just like I thought. And they're not staking much hope on us winning. All the more reason to win and wipe the smiles off their faces!

Just as I suspected. You'll have to be our intelligence expert for this round at least, probably more. Keep an eye on them, Missy. Knowing what they're up to might be the only way we survive this.

"And now for this year's guests, Team Urameshi!"

Team Urameshi stepped out from the tunnel, into the blinding lights of the stadium and the ear-splitting roars of the crowd. The roars were not friendly.

"Get off our grass, you filthy humans!"

"Let him fight. He can pay for what he's done to us!"

"That goes for those traitors with him, too!"

Just keep walking, guys. Sakura kept her head high and did her best to ignore the insults being hurled at them. She doubted Hiei would care, or the Masked Fighter, but Kurama and Kuwabara looked disgruntled.

"This is sure one heck of a greeting for special guests. I don't think these monsters took their grumpy pills today,"

"I agree, Kuwabara. It most certainly isn't pleasant, being called a traitor by creatures you've never met,"

"Both teams into the arena!" Koto said above the chorus of booing and hissing. Team Urameshi and Team Rokuyukai stepped into the ring and stared each other down. In the face of their first enemy team, Sakura felt smaller than ever.


"These ugly things are the apparitions?" Keiko snorted, looking repulsed. Botan had taken both her and Shizuru to Hanging Neck Island, and outside the stadium she was getting her first glimpse of what the twins and Kuwabara were up against.

"Yes Keiko, and please watch what you say," Botan said nervously.

"Why?" Keiko snapped. "Because it's dangerous? Well don't you think it was dangerous not letting us know all this? You're too easy on him. Yusuke can't keep lying to people he cares for. At least Sakura gave me some sort of honesty. Come on, Shizuru. Let's find them,"

Botan watched the girls walk away. I suppose it takes a tongue like that to handle Yusuke. Must be how Sakura's handled him all these years. Speaking of sharp tongues, where's Koenma?

Botan looked this way and that, when her attention was drawn to a seedy-looking demon spruiking overpriced tickets.

"Get your tickets while you can! I've still got some beautiful seats left. Hey, you there!" The demon stopped a tall young man walking past. "You look like a handsome young man. Why don't you treat yourself to standing room on the highest deck? You can see everything there is without ever turning your head,"

The young man turned around. In his mouth was a pacifier and the initials JR across his forehead.

"I have a VIP ticket," he said calmly, producing it.

The demon realised who this stranger was. "Hey, that junior mark. You must be Koenma. Didn't know we was entertaining royalty,"

Koenma nodded. "I am the owner of the Urameshi team," he said curtly. "The guest team is always given to me. A ploy to keep me from cancelling the tournament, no doubt. And the last thing I am is a naive child. I realise this tournament lowers the spirit crime rate in the living world. Keeps the demons occupied,"

The demon grinned. "We are all fortunate to have such a wise ruler!" he said greasily. "However you also understand the only authority that's recognised here is brute force!"

"Is that you, Koenma?" Botan called. "That's a doozy of a costume!"

Koenma approached, followed by Jorge and the ticket seller.

"Woah! I see my majesty is a stud!" the ticket guy coughed at the sight of the three young women. "Are all these girls with you?"

"This is a sister and girlfriend of my team," Koenma replied sternly. "The blue haired person on the end is my assistant, and apparently she has a very loud mouth!"

Botan quailed under Koenma's glare, but the prince bowed politely to Shizuru and Keiko. "I am Koenma. I'm very cool. Anyway, let's get going,"

"Are Yusuke and Sakura inside the stadium?" Keiko asked hopefully.

Koenma nodded. "And they're fighting first up. Follow me,"

The crowd outside gave the group a wide berth as they passed through. The ticket seller shook his head.

"Those girls must have some real guts to come to an island like this,"


Rinku made a face at Yusuke. "Is that big idiot still asleep?"

Sakura glared. "Trust me, brat. He's earned it. Now mind your own business,"

Rinku stuck his tongue out at her. The teams continued to stare each other down while Koto explained the rules.

"As always, the terms of the fighting for each match can be decided by the leaders of the two teams. Of course, if the leaders can't agree, we'll default to one-on-one fights, determining the winning team by the most individual wins. Makes sense?"

Kuwabara raised his hand slightly. "Uh, not exactly Miss. Our team leader is still asleep," He glanced at Yusuke's twin. "Does that mean Sakura gets to decide?"

Sakura did a double take. "Me?"

"Absolutely not," Zeru scowled at Kuwabara. "I will not take orders from a female,"

Kuwabara nearly dropped Yusuke in outrage. "Where do you get off talking about Kura like that you jerk?!"

"Don't worry Kuwabara. He's not worth the fight," Sakura sniffed. "It's just tough guy code for admitting he's terrified of women,"

Zeru bared his teeth at Sakura. "What reason do I have to be terrified of a weakling like you, girl?"

"Shut up. She could kick your ass," Yusuke mumbled. For a second Sakura and everyone else looked hopeful, but no. He was talking in his sleep again.

Kurama stepped forward. "In that case, Kuwabara will have to be the one to do it,"

"Really?" Kuwabara's face lit up.

"It's fine with me. I will happily defer to you," Sakura bowed playfully.

"I don't wanna go to school, Mom," Yusuke stirred slightly. "Just let Kuwabara be the leader in this stupid sexist tournament. Has anyone seen my green jacket?"

Sakura smiled and ruffled her twin's hair. "You left your green jacket in your room, bro,"

"If that's not a transfer of power, I don't know what is," Kuwabara said happily. "Of course, I really don't like the fact that I was second choice, but oh well. Let's do this 'tournament terms' thing,"

"Poor fool," Hiei sighed.

Still holding Yusuke, Kuwabara marched up to Zeru. The air between the two was practically sizzling with hate.

"I don't care how we play this fight," Zeru sneered. "It's not going to make any difference in the end. Just as long as I have time to enjoy my victory,"

Kuwabara stuck his face in Zeru's. "Let's do man-to-man. That's how real men fight after all,"

"Sounds like an agreement," Koto told the audience. "We're looking at one-on-one!"

Kuwabara began retreating to the rest of his team. Zeru glared from Yusuke to Sakura. His eyes went bright red and his muscular body began glowing with spirit energy before erupting in flames. Kuwabara looked over in alarm, but Koto seemed delighted.

"Ooh, check this ladies and gentlemen. Zeru is emitting flames from his body. Don't you love it?"

"His spirit energy just shot through the roof," Kuwabara muttered. "Gee, I hope he's not mad because of what I said,"

Kurama's face darkened. Someone of his class with the power of fire? Interesting.

Class? Sakura had never heard that one before. What do you mean by that?

I'll explain later. Kurama promised. "Hiei, we had better be careful with this one," he said aloud. Hiei's face showed anger, but the Masked Fighter stood calmly by.

"Hey Urameshi! You've gotta wake up, come on!" Kuwabara started shaking him. But Zeru wasn't done. Kurama pulled Sakura closer as the fire surged across the arena floor and encircled them all.

"What's this punk trying on us?" Kuwabara gasped. The ring of fire only completed one rotation before promptly sweeping over a large section of the grandstand and torching a number of spectators. Sakura shut her eyes, but she couldn't block out the screams. Despite the bravado she was displaying for the tournament, inside she was whimpering.

How long can we survive? Sakura asked herself. And still, Yusuke slept on.

Koto hauled herself up from the ground. "Well people, the flames are out," she stared at the damage rather nervously. "I know everybody is pretty quiet after that outburst, but remember, that's half the fun! Now send out your fighters, teams,"

Sakura could only assume it was in Koto's contract to commentate with cheeriness at all times, because from where she was standing this tournament was already off to a bad start.

"I'll go first," Rinku bounded forward.

The crowd roared in approval. "Go on, kid. Make those trashy humans suffer!"

Sakura glanced at the rest of her team. "So, who's up?"

"Not you," Hiei said instantly. "As the alternate, you can only fight if a team member perishes or is incapacitated. Since Yusuke is only asleep, I believe you should stay out of this first round altogether,"

"That little brat is definitely mine," Kuwabara stalked forward.

"You can take him out, Kuwabara!" Yusuke called. "I have to go hike…"

Rinku pouted when he saw who his opponent was. "Damn it. Should have known I'd get stuck with the weak one. After all that embarrassment last night, I was hoping you'd run off," he sulked.

"No limits have been set besides one-on-one," Koto announced. "You're free to use any weapons or techniques you want. First person to stay down or out of the ring for ten seconds is the loser. Now begin!"

Kuwabara crouched down slightly and flexed his fists. "I'll let you have the first shot, short stuff. Hit me. If you can,"

Rinku was rocking back and forth on his heels before rising to the very tips of his toes. "Why don't we…play a little first?" Without warning, the little boy began rocketing around the arena with speed that rivalled Hiei's. Turning backflips and somersaults, he moved so fast he seemed to have duplicated himself

"Can you catch me?" He caught Kuwabara across the head, drawing blood.

"Darn it," Kuwabara grumbled. "Where'd he go?"

"Surprise!" Rinku was waiting at Kuwabara's feet, and as Kuwabara glanced down Rinku launched a kick right into his face before delicately flipping away and bouncing up and down on his toes.

Kuwabara wiped the blood from his face. "You know kid, you're starting to make me mad!"

Sakura clenched her fists. "Kuwabara, you can win this!" she yelled.

Yoo hoo! Sakura!

Sakura jumped. Botan?!

Bingo, it's me! Botan laughed. I can see you from where I'm sitting!

Despite Kuwabara's predicament, Sakura's face broke into a huge grin. You came! Where are you?

I'm here in the crowd, but there's something else you should know. I'm not alone. Keiko and Shizuru are with me too.

Sakura froze. They are? Why?

Let's just say they didn't take too kindly to the three of you vanishing without a word. Botan explained. I had to tell them everything. And I mean everything. Keiko knows all about what really happened at the school, so brace yourself. Although I don't think she's that angry at you, per se. More worried.

Sakura's stomach dropped. She glanced back at the fight where Rinku was still running rings around Kuwabara.

"Bet you want to give up now, don't you?" the brat taunted. But something was different. Kuwabara had a determined look in his eyes.

"I might be worried if it weren't for one thing. You're leaving a trail!" And with that, he landed a solid blow to Rinku, who bounced across the ring.

"You're beaten," Kuwabara declared. "I can sense your spirit now!" Rinku tried to run, but Kuwabara knocked him down again. The crowd was beginning to react with shock and dissent.

Kurama nodded in approval. "Our lessons have helped him more than we thought, Hiei. It seems Kuwabara is the type of fighter who's true skills can only be measured in the ring,"

Hiei barely responded. "Maybe so. But he still doesn't understand these fights. He should drop his honour and strike the boy while he's down,"

Kuwabara seemed to have gained the upper hand. Sakura decided the situation seemed safe enough for her to duck out.

She touched Kurama's shoulder. "Guys, Botan's here. I'm going to go meet her. I'll be right back," Sakura ran off into the tunnel, ignoring the calls from her teammates.


Kuwabara surged at Rinku to finish the fight. "I don't want to torture you. Just stay down til the ref counts to ten,"

At the last second, Rinku glanced up with an evil smile and promptly vanished.

"Where is he?" Kuwabara looked around wildly.

"My turn!" Rinku appeared from behind and kicked Kuwabara point-blank in the neck. To the horror of his teammates, Kuwabara went down, his eyes open and glassy. The crowd cheered.

Koto began to count. "One, two, three, four…"

Rinku observed his handiwork with a self-satisfied smirk. "How was that, Zeru? I thought it'd be more fun if I let him think he was winning for a while. The fans liked it too,"

"Should have known," Hiei smirked. "Kuwabara only seemed better because the boy was leaving a trail,"

Kurama looked anxiously after Sakura. Even if she was going to find Botan, running off alone was not a good idea.

"Six…seven," Koto kept counting.

"So what's the point in counting?" Rinku snorted. "I broke the dummy's neck! Say, why don't you count his last heartbeat?" He blew kisses into the cheering audience, basking in the glow of admiration.

"Actually, my neck is just fine,"

Both Rinku and Koto were shocked to see Kuwabara getting up, very much alive.


Botan, I'm coming to find you. Tell me exactly where you are!

Sakura had only run a few metres into the dark entrance tunnel when she collided with something, or someone. She fell backwards, straight onto her butt with a small cry of surprise.

"S-sorry," she stammered, glancing up at the silhouette she'd bumped into. The shadowy figure stepped into what little light there was in the tunnel. Sakura's brown eyes widened at what she saw.

"Sakura Urameshi. We meet at last,"

Towering over her was a thickset man with scruffy brown hair. He looked her up and down and a smile spread across his lips. "Let me help you up,"

He held out a hand to Sakura, but she shook her head and got up herself.

Whoever this man was, he was intimidating. His most prominent feature was a burn mark above his right eye, but that wasn't what made Sakura recoil. Though his smile was friendly, his shrewd blue eyes gave a sense of danger. He carried the air of being the lone survivor of some legendary battle.

"Very well," he nodded slightly. "I had heard you were self-sufficient. It appears the rumours were true,"

"I'm flattered," Sakura said coldly. Those powerful muscles were making her nervous. "Who are you and what do you want?"

"My name is not important," Scarface continued to give that knowing smile. "At least not yet. You might say I'm a messenger,"

Sakura rolled her eyes. "Just what I need. Another delivery boy,"

Scarface chuckled and shook his head. "Reports of that sharp tongue were not exaggerated either. No, Miss Urameshi. I'm not a delivery boy. I'm a close associate of Sakyo, who you may recall from the Black Black Club. He asked me to deliver you a message,"

Sakura's heart skipped a beat. "Go on…"

"He welcomes you to Hanging Neck Island, and hopes you enjoy your final days here. Then he got more specific," Scarface smirked. "Let me see if I can recall his exact words…ah yes, now I remember: 'While it was a rather ingenious move on your twin's part to make you the alternate, if either of you think this will save you from fighting, you are sadly mistaken,'" he quoted.

Sakura blinked, then started to laugh. "Was that supposed to scare me?" she snorted and made a move to leave. "Well, if that's all, I'll just be going to find my friends now,"

Scarface blocked Sakura's path. "No, you'll turn around and head right back inside the stadium. Your teammates are getting worried about you," He nodded to the end of the tunnel where the shadows of Kurama and Hiei were visible.

Scarface looked from the demons to Sakura with a smug smile and then turned his back on her. "It was nice to meet you, Miss Urameshi. I'm sure our paths will cross again,"

"I know the rules, pal!" Sakura called after him. "The alternate can only fight if another team member is killed or incapacitated,"

Scarface paused. "That's true, Miss Urameshi," He acknowledged without looking at her. "But you of all people should know that rules can be changed if necessary,"

Sakura had absolutely no response to that. The strange man melted into the darkness just as Kurama and Hiei appeared at her side.

"Sakura, what's going on?" Kurama asked sharply. "Who was he?"

"A messenger from Sakyo," Hiei looked amused. "Once again you learn the hard way what happens when you go off by yourself. Now come,"

"You didn't need to come after me," Sakura muttered, following them back towards the light. "I had it under control,"

Sorry Botan, looks like I'll have to come find you later.

Of course, Sakura. It's really safer for you to stay with the rest of the team.

"Do you really think you can win with those stupid kiddie toys?!" Kuwabara was on his feet in the ring, battling Rinku while wielding two Spirit Swords.

To Sakura's astonishment, Rinku was in the air and fighting back with yo-yos'. But they were no ordinary yo-yos. They snaked their way around Kuwabara's attacks and slammed him into the ground.

"Kurama, what's he doing?" she asked.

Kurama gasped. "Yes of course, the strings, they're alive!"

"You don't think I just throw ordinary toys around, did you?" Rinku bounced four yo-yos in his left hand. "When I throw the yo-yos, my spirit power goes into them. Kind of like they're a part of me. And they bite, too," He was right. The yo-yos had left significant dents in the arena floor.

"You trying to cut them down with that sword is like grabbing snakes with your bare hands," Rinku teased. "I know a fun new game. I'll throw my yo-yos, and you try to stay alive!"

Kuwabara stood up and raised his weapons. Sakura could hardly believe what she was witnessing. Rinku was in midair, his body weight being supported by the strings of the toys in his left hand and they mowed towards Kuwabara with unbelievable ferocity. Kuwabara used his swords to raise up massive stone slabs from the ring to block the yo-yos, but they sliced through them like a knife through butter. Rinku threw the yo-yos in his right hand through four tiles, one after the other. The toys collided with Kuwabara, and the spirit-powered strings twisted around his wrists and ankles before slamming him into the floor.

"Kuwabara!" Sakura cried. But worse was to come. A cackling Rinku surged more spirit power into his Serpent yo-yos, and Kuwabara began to rise high above the crowd, right up to the topmost part of the stadium. Even Hiei was watching in horror. As far as Sakura was concerned, the laws of physics were weeping.

Koto voiced what everyone was thinking. "Well people, I'll let you use your own imaginations for what happens if that human's poor frail body falls from the top of the stadium and crashes all the way down onto the hard stone arena! Isn't this tournament to die for?"

"How can you be ok with this?" Sakura snapped at the referee. She rushed to Yusuke and started shaking him. "Wake up, Yusuke! You've slept long enough!"

It was pointless. Yusuke was a brick wall. There was no waking him.

"I thought you said he earned his rest?" Rinku turned and smirked at her.

Sakura gave him her angriest look. "You know what you've earned, kid? A smack into the middle of next week!"

Rinku's smile widened. "Oh, you want me to slap him around a bit longer? Sure! How do you like this?" He started slamming Kuwabara into the ground over and over. Kuwabara began coughing up blood. Sakura balled up her fists. It was just like Yusuke and Rando all over again.

Calm yourself, Missy! The Masked Fighter ordered. If you get this upset during the first match you'll be annihilated once you step into the ring. See, Team Rokuyukai is looking at you like you're a meal!

Sakura jumped back from Yusuke. The Masked Fighter had a point. The other members of Team Rokuyukai were looking at her almost hungrily. Her skin crawled at the sight.

Kurama pulled Sakura closer. "Stay with me, Sakura. It will be alright," he murmured.

How could I have been so stupid? She berated herself. Stay focused, Sakura. Getting hysterical will just put one big target on your back. They already see you as a weakling. Don't give them the satisfaction!

Hiei glared up at Kuwabara. "You see? I told you Kuwabara's training wouldn't be enough. We'd best assume him dead and plan for the next fight," He fixed his gaze on Sakura. "I trust you know what that means?"

"No," Kurama answered before Sakura could. "There are still some techniques he hasn't tried,"

Rinku had stopped slamming Kuwabara into the ground long enough for him to speak.

"I'm…gonna get you!" he spat. "You'll be screaming for your mommy!"

Rinku's face fell. "You're like fighting a brick. How many times do I have to throw you around?" he said sulkily. "Hey, I know exactly what I have to do, and I don't even have to work!" Once again, Kuwabara was thrust sky-high above the arena.

"Wait, what are you doing? Stop it you brat!" Kuwabara screamed.

"Just enjoy yourself," Rinku taunted. "You'll be coming down soon enough!"

Kuwabara panicked even more. "I don't like what I think he means by that!"

"YUSUKE!" An extremely notable scream came from high in the stands, loud enough to catch Sakura's attention.

She slowly turned in the direction of the noise. "It couldn't be…"

It was. She'd recognise that yell anywhere.

"Yusuke! How can you keep sleeping when your friend is in trouble with these nasty demons?!" Keiko had gotten to her feet and was shouting more loudly than Sakura had ever heard before. "Help him, Yusuke! Get off your lazy butt and help him!" With a groan, Keiko began stomping down the stairs towards the field.

Botan! Sakura communicated frantically. Is Keiko trying to get herself killed? You have to be the only human spectators in a crowd full of demons!

Botan called after Keiko, but it was no use. She was making a beeline to the arena, only to be stopped by a huge demon.

"What's the matter, little girl? You lost?"

"Damn it…" Sakura muttered.

Sakura! Botan sounded desperate. You may need to intervene!

"Go on," Kurama gently nudged her towards her friend. Sakura gave him a brief, grateful smile and sprinted in Keiko's direction.

"Go back to your filthy home. This here tournament's for apparitions only," The demon was still standing over Keiko, who looked terrified at first, but her face quickly became a scowl.

"Hey, you can't talk!" she snapped. "I know Yusuke's beaten creatures a lot bigger than you!"

Sakura cringed. "Keiko, stop!"

The demon laughed. "Your boy's asleep. Too bad you can't protect yourself!"

Keiko cried out in fear. The demon opened his horrible mouth wide. Sakura was so close, but could she make it in time?

Someone else did, though. Shizuru appeared beside Keiko and calmly stubbed out her lit cigarette on the demon's tongue just as Sakura made it to the sidelines.

Botan looked stunned. "I see where Kuwabara got the need to defend himself growing up,"

"Keiko! Keiko!"

"Sakura?" Keiko ran down the last few steps to hug her best friend. "Thank God, we found you!" Keiko pushed Sakura back slightly and gave her a look. "You have some serious explaining to do!"

Sakura bit her lip. "I know, I know. Afterwards, ok? Kuwabara's in trouble!"

Kuwabara was being raised into the air even higher than before. "You know, it's really hard to take this seriously when a little kid with yo-yos is the one who's gonna finish me!"

"What's the matter with you, Yusuke?!" Keiko hollered. "Your friends need you!"

Botan looked up at their helpless friend. "Hang tight, Kuwabara. I don't suppose you can fly, can you?"

"Huh? Oh, hey Botan," Kuwabara looked back at them and yelped at the sight of Shizuru. "Oh, sis! I didn't know you were going to be here…I'd give you a better greeting but I'm kinda busy right now!"

"Rinku seems to be hesitating!" Koto said into the microphone. "Why don't we ask the fans what they want?"

Predictably, the crowd started screaming for blood. A rousing chant of 'let him drop' ensued.

Rinku smirked. "Guess that settles it. Gotta give my fans what they want, and they want a drop!"

The strings holding Kuwabara up fell away, and were quickly followed by Kuwabara himself. Even Hiei looked shocked. Keiko clutched Sakura's hand and cried out.

"This is it people, get ready for a boom!" Koto called.

A lightbulb went off in Sakura's head. Kuwabara! Your sword!

Before she'd even finished those three words, Kuwabara positioned his hands. "You just made a big mistake, Rinku!" he bellowed at his adversary. "You should've never let me use my hands. SPIRIT SWORD, GET LONG!"

Kuwabara's weapon burst forth and extended to the arena floor. The force of Kuwabara's descent caused the sword to bend backwards, and he used the momentum to launch himself head first at Rinku.

"Yes!" Sakura cheered. "Keiko, you can look, it's ok!"

"Kuwabara makes a sensational recovery!" Koto's shock mirrored that of the spectators.

"So, the sword absorbs your fall like a backwards bungee cord," mused Rinku. "Huh. That's a pretty neat idea from a blockhead. But there's one little problem though. You flying straight at me just makes it easier for all my yo-yos to hit you at once,"

Kuwabara's eyes blazed with determination. "My only chance for a hit," he growled, summoning his sword.

"Not that dumb sword again. I can dodge that easy!" But Rinku was wrong. Kuwabara's sword twisted eerily between the yo-yo strings, evading the weapons without any trouble and heading straight for a now defenceless Rinku.

"Say what?" the brat stammered. "The sword can bend now?"

Sakura glanced quickly at Kurama, who was smiling in triumph.

"Get the hell out of the way Rinku!" Zeru hollered, and Sakura was pleased to hear a note of furious disbelief in his voice.

But it was too late for both fighters. Kuwabara and Rinku were simultaneously knocked clean out of the ring by their respective attacks. For a moment, nobody moved. Sakura realised Keiko had nail marks on her face from where she was clutching it in fear.

"So, who's the winner?" Shizuru deadpanned.

"Good question," Sakura replied.

Hiei glanced sideways at Kurama. "Was that the focus of your training?"

"Well, more or less," Kurama admitted. "The main focus of our training was to teach him precise control of his Spirit Sword,"

Koto looked back and forth. She seemed to be at a loss like everyone else. "Um, right! Well, both the fighters have been extraordinarily knocked outside the ring…at the very same time. By the rules, you're only allowed to stay outside the ring for ten seconds, so…um…I'm just going to start counting. One, two…"

Sakura extracted herself from Keiko and made her way over to the arena.

"I'd be surprised if either of them got back on their feet in time," Hiei scoffed.

"That's true," Kurama agreed. "Both the yo-yo and the sword made solid hits,"

"Three! Four!

"I guess we'll know soon enough," Sakura muttered.

Yusuke rolled over and curled up into a ball, still sleeping. "Get up! You're late Kuwabara!"

Sakura rolled her eyes. If you ever wake up I'll punch your teeth in!

"And five…!" Koto paused. Rinku was awake and hauling himself back into the ring.

"Damn it," Sakura heard him mumble. "I didn't think he could throw such a blow," Rinku began focusing his energy to the hole in his shirt. "I'll have to use a lot of my energy just to recover,"

"And that's what happens when you get cocky, kid. You make mistakes," Sakura called to him with a smirk. Rinku stuck his tongue out at her.

"Rinku has entered the ring after five counts, but it's not over yet!" Koto said. "Six!"

"Get up there, Kuwabara," Yusuke mumbled. "I'm serious. I know you're used to losing, but not now,"

Kuwabara's ear twitched and he went from sprawled unconscious on the grass to on his feet in a millisecond. "What did you say?!"

"Six, Kuwabara," Koto explained patiently. "You have four counts to get in the ring,"

"Not you!" Kuwabara spluttered in a foaming rage. "Urameshi!" he stormed over to where Sakura was attempting to shield her sleeping twin.

"Kuwabara, just -"

"Out of my way, Kura!" he snarled and seized Yusuke's jacket. "You punk! You want to say that to my face?" He ignored Sakura's attempts to pull him off. "Oh, you're pretending to be asleep now, you scaredy cat?"

"Seven!" Koto was still counting. "And an eight!"

Kuwabara looked up. "Hey, hold your horses, I'm coming!"

Rinku pouted. "Oh man, I can't take any more of him right now," he raised his hands and the remnants of the yo-yo strings wrapped around Kuwabara's torso.

"Nine!"

Kuwabara struggled to get loose. "Let go of me, stupid yo-yo strings! That's cheating!" he howled. Sakura nearly made a move to help, but Kurama put his hand on her arm and shook his head.

"You cannot interfere," he said gravely. Sakura groaned and buried her head in her hands. There was nothing to do except wait for the final pronouncement…

"TEN! And Rinku's the winner. The Rokuyukai team gets a point!" Happily, Koto pointed at the large scoreboard. One-nil to Team Rokuyukai.

The strings finally fell off Kuwabara and he angrily jumped into the ring. "No, no, no, no, no! Hold it, jerks! That wasn't a fair move. Let's go, kid!"

Rinku's knees were shaking. "What? You run on batteries or something? I beat you! Just please, go away!"

"That was fairly innocent," Kurama sounded pleasantly surprised. "It's rare to see both fighters still standing,"

"I assure you, it won't happen with me," Hiei said darkly.

Sakura ground her teeth together. "I hope you're right, Hiei," she hurried to Kuwabara who was still threatening Rinku.

"This isn't over kid!" Kuwabara pointed a finger at Rinku. "Meet me behind the hotel when the tournament's done!"

Sakura grabbed Kuwabara's shoulder."Ok, that's enough!" she said roughly, dragging him back to their side.

Rinku turned and hightailed it out of there. "Go away!" he whined. He ran past his team and a little way back to attend to his wounds. The rest of Team Rokuyukai looked derisively at the little boy who was painfully attempting to heal himself.

A soft laugh caught Sakura's attention.

"The boy used so much power and didn't even get the kill," It was the demon with grey skin and the stupid hairstyle. "He forgets what makes this tournament dark,"

The demon leapt into the ring, looking eager to fight. Up close, he was even more emaciated than Sakura had realised, and he spoke with a thick accent she couldn't place. His beady yellow eyes seemed to look straight through her.

"Ooh, the next competitor has already stepped up!" Koto chirped.

"Please, I'll handle this one," Kurama volunteered almost lazily. He strode up to the demon, who's name was Roto, according to the scoreboard.

"I can tell this will be exciting," Roto grinned at Kurama, then leered behind him at Sakura. "Don't you think so too, Sakura?"

Kurama's eyes narrowed. "Your fight is with me, not her,"

"Of course," Rather than recoiling like any sane being would, Roto practically licked his lips at Sakura, who shuddered. That look made her skin crawl.

"Kurama," Hiei smirked. "Considering the stakes, we can't afford to take any chances. Don't leave the ring with him still alive,"

Kurama smirked back. "Naturally,"

"I don't know if you want to fight him. Be careful Kurama," Yusuke mumbled, still completely asleep.

"What is he talking about?" Keiko rolled her eyes in disgust. The three girls were now sitting in the front row, much closer to the action.

"Yes," Botan agreed. "It's simply time I stepped in!" Airily, she hopped across the barrier and danced her way over to Team Urameshi.

Hiei glanced briefly at Kuwabara, who was rubbing his injured arm. "We will deal with the rest of their team. You relax,"

"Hey, I'm not out of this yet," Kuwabara retorted. "If Yusuke doesn't wake up, I'll take the last guy,"

"We'll pray that that doesn't happen," Hiei rolled his eyes.

"Alright boys, I'm here," Botan announced. "Now let's whip this team into shape!"

Kuwabara blinked. "Hey, how'd you get here?"

Hiei turned away from Botan. "Leave, before you hurt yourself,"

"Well that's a jolly thing to say to someone who's going to help you win, don't you think?" Botan huffed.

"You mean like you're the replacement fighter for Urameshi?" Kuwabara goggled.

"That's me you idiot!" Sakura sighed. "Botan's not exactly the combative type,"

"That's right!" sang Botan. "Ta-da!" She dramatically whipped off her elaborate patterned kimono to reveal a more sensible outfit underneath. "In addition to Detective's Assistant and pilot of the River Styx, I'm also a licensed trainer! I'll be looking after you all and making sure you stay in tip-top shape for fighting,"

"Oh great!" Kuwabara began unbuttoning his jacket eagerly. "Then maybe you can help me nurse this wound here, see I…"

Kuwabara trailed off as he realised Botan had headed straight for Yusuke and was trying to slap him awake.

"Spirit World to Yusuke! Wake up! Come on now!"

Hiei looked bored. "None of that will work. The boy is determined,"

"Here," Sakura appeared at Botan's side. "Let's get him out of the way,"

Sakura helped Botan drag Yusuke's sleeping form away from the ringside. In the arena, Kurama calmly stared down Roto's toothy grin without a trace of fear.

Kuwabara turned to Hiei. "You know, that rose whip he's got must be ten feet long. Where does he stash it? All the ways I can think of sound kind of painful,"

"Kurama simply carries a normal rose," Hiei explained with a small smile. "By manipulating it with his spirit energy it's transformed into a whip. Even weeds can turn into a deadly weapon for Kurama,"

"I don't like the look of Roto," Sakura admitted quietly.

Hiei shook his head irritably. "Have you forgotten already? Kurama is more than capable of taking down that fool,"

"I know," Sakura shot back. "But…there's something about him that gives me the shivers,"

Sakura, stand back. Kurama warned. Whatever happens, you must trust me, understand?

I…I trust you. Even Sakura's thoughts faltered. But she couldn't do anything. Koto was already proclaiming into the microphone.

"Second fight, Roto vs. Kurama. Begin!"


A.N. The first fight of the Dark Tournament is done. What did you think? What did you like about this chapter? What do you think about the new OC, the mysterious associate of Sakyo's? Any theories on who he is and how he'll play out in the story? Let me know your thoughts! If you're disappointed that Kura hasn't fought yet, don't worry. It's coming. She's going to be doing a lot in this book, both on and off the battlefield.

Don't forget to follow, favourite and review for more content as quickly as possible. I'm currently working on Chapter 2 & 3, so in case my wisdom teeth surgery goes bad you'll still get regular updates. Chapter 2 will be released soon.

Next Chapter: The score currently stands at 1-0. Can Team Urameshi even the odds in the next two rounds? And just how is the tournament committee planning to force Sakura into the arena?