Chapter 1

Gazing out of the train window into the cold rain, Sayuri looked back on the past few weeks of her life. Everything had all happened rather quickly. It was frightening just how quickly. She had been living with her younger sister, Mai and their mother for as long as she could remember. It was a comfortable life and she thoroughly enjoyed it: get up, go to school, return, do homework, sleep, and begin anew. Once summer started, she would stay with her sister and cook her lunch. It wasn't at all difficult. She was at ease. Secretly, like any other, she yearned for adventure, but never enough to actually start up a project or plan a trip. However, life was good, so it didn't actually require change. However, change did come. One day, about 2 weeks ago, was when tragedy struck. Sayuri remembered that school had been out for summer vacation and she was sitting at home with her sister. Mai could not be trusted to stay home alone due to her uncanny ability to set the kitchen on fire any time she attempted to make herself something to eat. After lunch, Mai sat watching the television as Sayuri cleared away and began washing the dishes. That was when the phone rang. Half-expecting her mother, calling from work, to inquire as to whether Mai had eaten her vegetables, Sayuri picked up the receiver. That's when her world of comfort came to an abrupt end. The kitchen seemed to swirl into a mass of colors as she tried to absorb the information coming from the phone. The man kept apologizing, saying that nothing could be done. Why was he apologizing? What had happened? Sayuri received her answers too soon… A coworker had found her mother lying face down in a dark alley-way. A passerby said that there was a man with what looked to be a small club talking to her. When the man asked her for money, she had refused, saying that she needed to buy dinner for her children. The man, short on patience, had then taken out his crude weapon and hit her in the back of the head. According to the pedestrian, she never even had a chance. Even after she put down the phone, the walls stayed out of focus. Somehow she had told Mai; somehow she had organized a wake and attended the wake…all in a daze.

In this swirl of feelings and days that followed, Sayuri realized that she must somehow get a job to support her sister and herself. After all, no one can last without money for long. Sayuri had spent a few sleepless nights thinking of what to do before she came up with a solution. As she was unnaturally spiritually aware for a human, she had been tagged by spirit world some time ago. They had found that she had a natural aptitude to be a healer. She also had spirit power enabling her to manipulate plants. However, in their eyes this strange power seemed useless in such a young girl (she had been 12 at the time). Now, three years later, Sayuri reflected on the bit of training she had been given concerning her healing abilities and decided that she should look into being a healer and earning money in that fashion. The Dark Tournament would be starting soon, and they would be hiring nurses. In the week and a half after her mother's funeral, Sayuri proceeded to train hard, remembering all her old lessons in healing and even devising some new techniques. When representatives came by looking for nurses, she was quickly hired and now, she found herself on a train, leaving her past life behind.

Sayuri was shaken out of her revenue with a jolt:

"Hey! I see it up ahead! Sis! We're almost there!"

"Hm? Oh…wow, that was quicker than I expected it to be."

The mass of tall dark building loomed ahead. This is where she and Mai would be staying for the next few weeks. With a sigh, Sayuri stretched and began to gather her few belongings.

She had to admit, the hotel suite they had been given was rather nice for the modest occupation of a nurse for some tournament. There was a bedroom with two beds, a bathroom, living room and even a small kitchen. Sayuri put her two suitcases down and turned toward the stairs to help her younger sister. Mai, however, had already successfully made it up two flights of stairs and was steadily climbing the third. The older girl smiled to herself, Mai was often underestimated because of her age, but Sayuri knew her sister's fiery spirit and determination. She would let no one help her up those stairs. Turning back, Sayuri walked into the bedroom and looked into the mirror above the dresser. She looked quite pale in the black mourning clothes, her hair, dusky gold in color, had escaped in wisps from her hat, and her eyes were a dull green from exhaustion. This would never do, she thought in annoyance. How would she ever convince Mai to be happy once again if she looked like a wreck? Sayuri turned away from the mirror and began to unpack. Mai would probably want the bed by the window… She laid out clean sheets onto the bed closer to the door and began to unpack her three pillows. Mom always made fun of me for needing so many pillows, she thought with a smile. Hm… Things to do: unpack, make some food, go down to the main building and attend the brief meeting for the tournament's nurses. Sayuri sighed. This would be a long day.

Sure enough by the time Sayuri had gotten back from her pre-tournament meeting, it was 11pm and all she could think about was a warm shower and drifting off to sleep. Mai was already in bed. The tournament would be starting tomorrow. All Sayuri could think as she was drifting off to sleep was: tomorrow, things are going to get interesting…

The first day of the Dark Tournament dawned clear and bright. Just the kind of morning I'd imagine to be perfect for a day of senseless killing. Sayuri made her bed and changed into her nurses' uniform: a plain dress and small beret marking her as a nurse of the Dark Tournament. She would spend this first day in the sick tent watching the more experienced nurses deal with injuries and maybe, towards the end of the day, do some healing of her own. Overall, a rather unexciting day. However, first she had to buy a ticket for Mai to watch from the stands. Her younger sister had insisted that she'd be fine staying home by herself but Sayuri had pointed out that the kitchen was as of the moment in fairly good shape and she did not want to return to a wreck.

"Mai…Mai-chan, wake up."

"Just a few more minutes…please…"

"I'm sorry, but you really need to get up. Remember, we still have to go find you a ticket unless of course you want to stay in the healer's tent with me."

Mai's eyes snapped open. "There's no way I'm missing going to watch wounded demons moan and groan all day! I might as well watch them tear each other to shreds than just see the losers!"

Sayuri shook her head. "What am I going to do with you? Go, get dressed. I'll make us some breakfast."

After a quick breakfast, Sayuri and Mai were out of their apartment and on their way to the ticket booth. Sayuri groaned inwardly upon seeing the line. This is going to take a while. I hope I won't be late on my first day of work.

"Hey Sayuri!"

Sayuri looked up. Mai was jumping up and down and waving her arms frantically.

"What's the matter?"

"Those girls over there! They're humans! Let's go talk to them!"

"Alright, no more sugary breakfast foods for you… Hm, it might actually be a good idea to make some friends in this place." Also, I'd feel a bit safer if you were around people I could trust as opposed to in a crowd of demons who might decide to eat you for lunch. Sayuri was still thinking over all the pros and cons of walking up to complete strangers when she realized that Mai was no longer by her side.

"Sayuri! Sayuri! Meet Botan-san, Keiko-san and Shizuru-san!" Mai exclaimed. She then turned to the three girls: "This is my big sister Sayuri. She's a nurse here at the tournament!" Mai beamed proudly up at her sister.

The girl with the blue hair, the one Mai had referred to as Botan turned to Sayuri and smiled brightly. "Hi! It's very nice to meet you. We're here rooting for team Urameshi. Aren't they incredible?"

The best Sayuri could do was nod with a small smile. She had no idea who this team was, but these girls seemed nice so hopefully the team they were rooting for wasn't as terrible as the rest of them.

Shizuru looked up at the two girls in front of her. They both emanated some spiritual energy, especially the older one. They seem like good kids though.

"Of course we'll keep an eye on your sister."

The older girl looked very relieved. "Thank you so much. The day will be very stressful as it is and if I'll be worrying about Mai-chan all day too…"

"Don't worry, it's not a problem," Shizuru reassured her. Besides, it never hurts to make new friends. Especially human ones, with all these demons around…

By the time Sayuri turned to leave, Botan was already in a fully animated discussion with Mai. "So? Is this your first time here? Have you ever seen demons before? Oh we're going to have so much fun together!"

At least Mai-chan doesn't look too overwhelmed. Heh, it might be nice to have someone who can keep up with Botan-chan. "All-right Mai-chan. You have money for a ticket?"

Mai nodded.

"Good, we're all set then."

Sayuri looked back one last time and sighed. There's no point worrying like this. They seem to be good people and it's better than leaving Mai completely alone, she reassured herself. Now, onward to the healer's tent.

It turned out that she had had nothing to worry about. Sayuri made it to her post with 5 minutes to spare. Within the first hour, she learned where all the supplies were located, and within another hour, she learned exactly which drugs to use to knock out her patients so they did not squirm too much when she tried to help them. After, four hours, completely used to the routine, Sayuri grew more relaxed and began to pay attention to the conversations being help around her. The other nurses were all demons and, for the most part, treated her as though she did not exist. Sayuri was perfectly fine with this as it let her concentrate on her work. However, now a conversation pricked her interest.

"Did you hear?"

"Yeah, that last fight…the red-haired boy."

"What an idiot."

"He almost let himself get killed for the sake of some filthy human!"

"You have to admit though, His strategy was ingenious."

"Yeah yeah… the Shimaneki grass, good idea. He must have timed it perfectly as well. The roots had just reached far enough when he was in a really tight spot."

"Nah, it was just luck."

"Maybe. At any rate, he must at least know his plants."

What was this? A contestant had risked his life for the sake of another. A human, at that. I think I'd like to see this boy, especially if he knows his plants. Maybe he can show be a few tricks that would ward off opponents. Tears prickled her eyes. With what happened to mom and all, you just can't be too careful. With this thought, Sayuri tied off another shook her head. He not only risked the outcome of the fight, but his life…

The work day passed slowly and by the end, Sayuri was tired and could only think of retrieving Mai from her new friends, having some dinner, wait, after a day of seeing nothing but broken bones and various sized wounds maybe dinner didn't sound so appetizing, and curling up in her bed. Sayuri washed her hands, taking care to scrub thoroughly in hopes that she would not be taking any of her work home with her, and prepared to leave. Luckily, she did not have to take any of the equipment home with her. She may have been a healer, but that didn't mean that she could get away with just healing abilities alone. If she used her powers to completely heal every patient sent into the tent, she would be completely exhausted after one or two. However, with some bandages, ointment and a bit of the healer's craft, she was able to treat at least a dozen. They may be demons, but in Sayuri's opinion, all life deserved respect.

As she headed out the door, the cool breeze cleared her head a little and she was able to distance herself from the medic's work. Suddenly she remembered. That red-haired boy they spoke of. I think I'd like to find out more about him. Mai should know something. After all, she was in the stands and must have seen the fight for herself. With these thoughts, Sayuri walked with lighter steps on her way to reclaim her little sister.

Mai got up and stretched. Who knew people could go on tearing at each other for so many hours on end? She had to admit, however, some of the fights were very interesting to watch. She had found out from her companions about Team Urameshi. Apparently, one of the team members was Kazuma Kuwabara, the little brother of Shizuru-san. Yusuke Urameshi himself was Keiko's close friend. There were also Hiei, Kurama and a masked fighter who remained unknown even to his own team. The powers that both of the latter known fighters displayed were incredible, though in one case it was a clear show of intellect even more so than strength. Even though Kuwabara, and most definitely Yusuke were evidently very strong, the thirteen-year-old preferred the dragon of the darkness flame that Hiei had produced and knew for certain that her sister would like to hear about Kurama, who used plant magic to defeat his opponent. With these thoughts, Mai turned to see Sayuri starting up the steps and waved to her sister.

Sayuri had wondered why Mai was so quiet on the walk home but now she knew that her silence was just like a dam waiting to break. Now, sitting at the dinner table, Sayuri wasn't sure if it was safe to speak so much while trying to chew and swallow.

"And then the yo-yo-boy raised Kuwabara-kun really high in the air! And we were all so scared that he was gonna fall and die, but he didn't! He made his rei-sword do this cool bendy-thing, and he got the yo-yo-boy! And he would have if the yo-yo-boy didn't cheat… And there was Hiei with the most amazing attack ever! "Dragon of the Darkest Flame" The guy he was fighting didn't leave anything behind but his outline on the wall. It was so cool! Yusuke-kun, his last name's Urameshi, he's kind-of their leader, he fought really well too. He barely had to use his spirit energy because he was so strong. I have to say, his opponent, Chu was an interesting character… Oh! You need to hear about this! Another member of the team, with fuchsia-colored hair and amazing green eyes, he almost lost because he was too nice. The demons all thought he was being stupid. Doesn't matter though, 'cause he won in the end. It was actually really cool, I thought you'd like to hear 'cause you love plants so much. He planted this seed inside his opponent and it grew inside him and then exploded in the end. There were such pretty flowers though… Anyhow, he seemed nice and I thought you might like to talk to him."

"Red hair, plant powers….oh! I've heard about him in the tent with the other healers. I was actually meaning to ask you about him. You say he seemed really nice? Maybe he wouldn't mind if I asked him a few things about plants. If he knows them really well, he might be able to suggest a few plants that would be good for healing. I'd feel bad asking him though, seems like he's busy…"

Mai sighed: "You always feel bad about things. I don't think he'd mind too much. Anyway, I'm so excited to go back tomorrow! Botan-chan and the others are really nice and it's fun watching the battles with them, though it is scary sometimes."

"I'm glad you've found friends," Sayuri said with a smile. Truly, she was happy that her sister was in safe hands and not fighting them as well. Perhaps tomorrow she could find out more about the boy with the fuchsia-colored hair.