Author Notes: Hey! I'm back with a new story! I wanted to put this up yesterday for my birthday and for the fact that it was a snow day (I didn't even know colleges gave snow days), but the site wasn't working. This is a Yu-Gi-Oh! YuYu Hakusho crossover, and because 4kids has tried to Americanize YGO a little too much, I'm using the Japanese names and phrases, instead. It'll take place after the final duel of Battle City and after the Dark Tournament.

Note: In Japanese names the last name is first and the first name is second

Tea Gardner: Mazaki Anzu
Serenity Wheeler: Kawai Shizuka
Marik Ishtar: Ishtar Malik
Yugi Moto: Mutou Yuugi
Joey Wheeler: Jounouchi Katsuya
Tristan Taylor: Honda Hiroto
Duke Devlin: Otogi Ryuji
Mai Valentine: Kujaku Mai
Mokuba, Kaiba, and Bakura's names remain the same.

Note: The YGO gang will refer to Malik as Yami no Malik, but everyone else will call him Malik-sama.

Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! or YuYu Hakusho.

Chapter One: Ominous Beginnings

"See you tomorrow, To-chan!"

Nineteen year old Jounouchi Tomoaki flinched slightly at the given nickname he absolutely despised before craning his head around to give the speaker an odd look. "Uh, goodbye, Hasumi-san." He turned back to his cleaning, relaxing only after he'd heard the front door slam a little too zealously. The girl, Hasumi, was the younger half-sister of his employer, Umihiko-san. Because of that, Tomoaki continued to treat her with respect despite her flirtatious advancements toward him that made working with her slightly awkward. Umihiko-san was a friend of the family and had offered Tomoaki a position in his restaurant following the death of his father a year ago. Tomoaki accepted and dropped out of high school to help support his family. Now, with work so hard to come by, he was thankful for the kind hearted Umihiko-san as he doubted he'd have found work anywhere else.

With a tired sigh, Tomoaki rinsed his rag in one of the kitchen sinks and trudged out through the dining hall to the back door. The sky was dark as he left the building and an ominous breeze caused goose bumps to rise on his arms. The temperature had dropped at least fifteen degrees since he'd left for work that morning, and he ducked his head against the cold, chastising himself for forgetting a sweatshirt.

As he trudged along the busy metropolis of Domino City, tuning out other pedestrians and bicyclists that shared the streets with him, he began to reflect on the sad state his family and friends-the entire Japanese district-had recently undergone, and all because of one man. Ishtar Malik.

Tomoaki stared solemnly down at the sidewalk as he recalled the first time he'd heard the name. He'd been watching the duel on his small black and white television between Malik and the famed duelist Mutou Yuugi. He hadn't witnessed the conclusion since the reception had been blocked half way through the duel, but he later learned that Mutou had lost. He'd also learned (sooner rather than later) that Malik-sama was a madman, one bent on world conquest and who had the tools and intelligence to make his twisted dreams a reality... and everyone else's a living hell.

Since then, his life had slowly spiraled out of control.

Malik's henchmen, known to the general public as 'Ghouls' had swarmed to cities like Domino, threatening or blackmailing dozens into becoming part of his ever growing army. Many of those who refused to agree with his terms ended up dead or in states of hysteria that left medics baffled.

There'd been some minor resistances in the beginning, but the majority of the Domino population had turned an ignorant eye on what was going on until it was too late to do anything to stop him.

Tomoaki didn't know what had become of some of the top duelists like Kujaku Mai or Bakura Ryou, but Mutou Yuugi had been presumed dead since the final duel, Kaiba Seto had disappeared, and Katsuya… well, Tomoaki didn't want to think about what had happened to his cousin. He'd been found at the top of Kaiba's dueling tower with a hole punctured through his throat.

That had been three months ago.

As Tomoaki approached his family's small apartment complex he froze, having the distinct feeling of being watched. He scanned the area suspiciously and shuddered as the chill air seemed to drop another several degrees. Then he quickly entered the building. He trudged down the dilapidated hallway and stopped before room 104, glaring disdainfully at the mold that had begun to spring up in the cracks in the door frame. Pulling out a key from his pant pocket, he quietly unlocked the door and stepped inside the dark interior of the living room. "Hello?" he called, closing the door behind him. "Anyone home?" Sighing, he tossed his keys onto the table and heaved himself down onto the couch, having decided his mother and sister must be out.

"Tomoaki?"

He started at the voice and turned to see the form of his younger sister, Erika, standing in the doorway. The expression on her face was one of carefully masked anxiety, but Tomoaki could clearly see fear etched in her bright, brown eyes.

"Erika... What's wrong?"

She looked toward the door and back at him, fidgeting nervously with her hands. "Tomoaki... They're here in this building... right now."

"Who's here?" Tomoaki asked carefully, though deep down he already knew.

"Ghouls," she whimpered, "Mother said to keep the lights off and stay quiet. She said they'll leave us alone if we don't cause trouble."

Tomoaki was trying to overcome his shock that the Ghouls would come to his quiet apartment complex. "What do they want?" he asked.

Erika shook her head. "I don't know. I think they're looking for something. They've been here all afternoon."

They were interrupted by a loud crash and the scuffle of many pairs of shoes on the tiled floor above, making their way to the stairs. Someone screamed and Tomoaki's eyes darted forward as a shadow moved past the door, blocking the light filtering in from the hallway. Both teens jumped, peering anxiously at the door as the knob began to rattle. "What do we do?" the blonde haired girl breathed, clutching her brother's sleeve tightly.

"We don't do anything." Tomoaki jerked his head toward the door. "Whatever happens, Erika, don't say anything."

"Open up! Orders of Malik-sama!"

Suddenly, the door was knocked off its hinges and six cloaked men burst into the room. They each had similar dark purple cloaks with odd shaped eyes engraved in the hoods, giving Tomoaki the impression of a cult sign. Gold chains dangled from the material over their chests, and their eyes glowed eerily in the darkness.

The first Ghoul, apparently the leader, stopped short and glanced at Tomoaki with narrowed violet eyes. "You three," he gestured, without taking his eyes off the older teen, "search for further occupants." They nodded and strode off to do his bidding.

Tomoaki made to take a step forward but froze when the leader barked an order. "Don't move, boy," he warned lightly, "You wouldn't want anything bad to happen to this girl, would you?" His eyes narrowed at one of the remaining two Ghouls who grinned and grabbed Erika by the arms, forcing them at an unnatural angle and throwing her to the ground. She struggled, but he pulled her hair back and dug his knee into her spine, forcing a strangled cry from her lips.

"Erika!" Tomoaki cried, ignoring the leader's warning and running over to his sister. He rammed his shoulder into the Ghoul's side, knocking him off balance and leaned protectively over her. "Keep your hands off her, you bastard! You have no right to treat her like that!"

The violet eyed Ghoul wasn't impressed and stared down his nose at Tomoaki arrogantly. "Do you have any inclination as to whom you're speaking to, boy?" Tomoaki stared hard at the floor before he slowly shook his head and looked up in time to see him remove his hood.

Now, free from the restraints of the hood, platinum blonde hair fell around the ghoul's shoulders, though most spiked up wildly in every direction. A bright eye appeared on his forehead and his violet eyes glistened dangerously, watching the boy's expression in morbid fascination. "Malik-sama…" Tomoaki murmured, failing to mask his fear.

"I see. So you do know who I am," he mocked quietly. "I was beginning to fear I hadn't made enough of an impression…"

Tomoaki had often fantasized about the horrible things he'd do or say to Ishtar Malik were he to ever meet him in person, but now that he had…he couldn't move. Fear overtook the anger and hatred he had toward the man that had caused his family and friends so much grief. He could only stare up at him in horror, his body refusing to comply with the demands of his brain.

Malik brushed his robe aside and unhooked his Sennen Rod, fixing Tomoaki with a sadistic grin. He took a step forward as the teen scrambled to his feet and nearly tripped backward over Erika. Malik grinned, curious to see just how far he could push the boy's sanity. "Now, be a good slave and bow down to your master."

The oddity of the request seemed to shake Tomoaki out of his stupor, and he glared up at Malik defiantly. "No." The word popped out of his mouth before he'd considered the repercussions. "I will never bow to you."

"Tomoaki, please!" Erika said, "Don't make him angry."

Malik narrowed his eyes slightly at Tomoaki's blunt disobedience and directed the rod toward the girl who'd just gotten to her feet. Tomoaki froze in indecision, uncertain if the rod he held was meant for intimidation or if it actually did something. "Do it, now, or I will kill this girl," Malik hissed softly, violet eyes watching the boy intently.

Tomoaki's mouth opened in silent protest before he slowly knelt before Malik and lowered his head, glaring at his knuckles which had begun to turn white. The blonde haired Egyptian watched the process with a small smirk. "Very good," he murmured as Tomoaki anxiously jumped to his feet and moved toward his sister. Malik adjusted his cape regally "Now, I understand you're acquainted with a woman named Mazaki Anzu. Where is she?"

Tomoaki refused to meet his gaze, instead studying the grain in the wood floor, so Malik used the edge of his rod to raise the teen's chin, bringing his focus back on him. "Answer the question," he repeated with a hint of impatience creeping into his tone.

"I don't know where she is," Tomoaki replied sullenly, "She hasn't been around here in months."

Malik's lip curled in disgust. "Hn. And you expect me to believe the words of an impudent fool, like you?"

Tomoaki clenched his teeth and turned his head away as hot tears began to sting the edges of his eyes. "She used to hang around with my cousin..."

Malik frowned and stared at Tomoaki for a long moment before his eyes lit up maliciously. "Ah, Jounouchi," he chuckled darkly. "Yes, I remember, him. The one who foolishly challenged me." He turned his attention to the Ghoul behind him who'd stiffened at the name. "You had a connection with him if I recall correctly."

Tomoaki's attention snapped to the Ghoul as well. "You knew him?" he asked in surprise. The Ghoul, however, remained silent.

"Remove your cloak," Malik commanded with a grin. "He wishes to see your face." The Ghoul glanced at his master and slowly brought his hand up. At the last second he hesitated, hand hovering mere inches away from his face. "Do it!" the violet eyed teen barked. He finally complied and removed the clothing, allowing the hood to fall onto his shoulders.

For a moment Tomoaki could do nothing but stare. "Honda?! Honda Hiroto!?" He gasped and his eyes widened in a mixture of relief and dread. "What... What are you...?" He blinked once, shook his head, and finally seemed to find his voice. "You've been here this whole time and haven't done anything?! What the hell are you just standing there for?" His eyes darted from Honda to Malik and back to Honda in disbelief. "You have to stop this," he pleaded, his tone beginning to rise in desperation. "You know we're not keeping Anzu-san here! We haven't even heard from her since the Battle City Tournament! Please just..." He felt his stomach churn with dread at Honda's unresponsiveness. His brown eyes were dull and staring at the wall behind him, hands shoved deep in his cloak pockets. "Help us!"

"Shut up," Honda muttered bitterly, glancing to the side, "Begging won't help."

"But Honda-kun… What about Katsuya?"

Honda didn't even blink. "What about him?"

"Honda… What've you done to him?!" he demanded, turning back to Malik. "Katsuya-kun was his best friend, and he'd never side with the man who killed him! You must be manipulating him!" Malik growled and slammed the rod into Tomoaki's head, knocking him backwards onto the floor.

"Tomoaki!" Erika cried, moving towards her brother.

"Silence," Malik snarled, turning on her. His rod activated, and its magic sent her sprawling across the floor. She slammed into the opposite wall with a sickening thud. "I will do what I desire to you and your family, and you would be wise to accept your fate quietly," he snarled, attention back on Tomoaki.

There was a sudden knock on the door and one of the Ghouls strode in, bowing low as he reached Malik. "Excuse me, Malik-sama. We've apprehended a woman hiding in the other room."

Malik's eyes narrowed fractionally. "Is it her?"

The cloaked figure shook his head. "No, Malik-sama. She doesn't match the description."

Malik grunted and turned to cast a sharp eye on Tomoaki. "Then, perhaps she's a relative of the boy..."

"What will you have us do with her?"

The violet eyed Egyptian took a few slow strides toward Tomoaki. "Get up." He did as he was told and struggled to his feet, not wanting to be struck, again. Malik turned toward his servants. "Take this boy until I give further orders. He claims to know nothing of Mazaki Anzu's whereabouts, but I'm sure we can find other uses for him. As for the woman…do what you'd like with her."

The Ghoul nodded and bowed. "Yes. Thank you, sir."

As Tomoaki was being led out, Malik gave Honda a cool look. "Dispose of the girl," he said, nodding to the nearly unconscious Erika. "She's of no further use to us."

"What?"

"No!" Tomoaki cried from the doorway. He twisted around in the grip of his captive. "Fucking son of a bitch! You promised you wouldn't hurt her! You promised!"

Malik's barking laughter sent a chill down Honda's spine. "I don't often keep my promises." Honda cast a sharp look toward him, once again hesitating. Malik's sadistic grin slowly turned down into a snarl, and he narrowed his eyes coldly. "What are you waiting for?"

"I-is killing her, really...necessary?" Honda asked, looking over at the panic stricken Tomoaki, his best friend's cousin.

"That isn't your concern," Malik retorted nastily. "But your open defiance displeases me greatly..."

Honda eyed his master warily and lowered his eyes to the floor in defeat. He withdrew a hand gun from within his cloak and slowly approached the young, blonde girl. His whole body felt heavy and he had to consciously think about every step he made. He took her chin in his hand and raised the gun to her temple with a shaking hand, trying to tune out Tomoaki's screams of rage. His heart was hammering in his chest, and he felt an unmistakable clench of fear and guilt in his gut.

He'd never actually killed anyone before.

Finally, after several long moments Honda lowered his hand and twisted his head around to look at Malik. "I-I can't," he stammered helplessly, feeling both fear toward his master's rage and giddiness inside that he'd out right refused an order and possibly saved someone's life. "I can't do it."

"Is that so?" Malik asked, his tone a deadly calm. "You know, I haven't toyed with someone's mind in ages." His lips turned up in a cruel smirk. "She's so innocent... but I could easily change that."

Honda's breath caught in his throat, and he glared daggers, understanding Malik's innuendo at once. Turning back to the woman, he replaced the gun to her temple, and took a deep breath. "Forgive me," he breathed, closing his eyes tightly. "But... she's more important." Then he pulled the trigger.

"Help me, please, someone! He's going to hurt me, again! Please anybody, help!" A young boy cried out as he tried to break free from his captor's iron grip.

"No one cares about you, boy. You belong to us now," a rough voice growled. He grabbed the child's arm and twisted it behind him.

"Argh! I do not! Get away from me you freak! Please help me, big brother!"

"Shut up, brat!" He hit the boy across the face and sent him reeling back. "Your brother is dead, and you will be too if you continue acting like this."

"I don't believe you," the little boy moaned, touching his lip gingerly where it had begun to bleed. "Big brother can't be dead. He'll find me!"

The man smirked. "Still fighting, huh? An insubordinate child like you needs to be taught a lesson." There was a flash of light and the scenery changed into a dueling arena where a woman was falling from a tower, her scream tearing through the silent night.

A figure lurched forward from where he lay in his cot on the floor, the scream still echoing through his head. His brown hair was damp with sweat and plastered to his forehead. His breathing was ragged, and it took a moment for him to realize where he was. He put a hand up to rub his eyes, cursing softly under his breath. "Shit. Not again…"

Not far away, a figure with long, red hair sat partly enshrouded with shadow in the frame of his open bedroom window, gazing out at the full moon. A soft breeze blew the comforting scents of the forest to his awareness, and he closed his eyes to cherish the feeling. There was a reason he wasn't sleeping at this time of night. Something was in the air, something he couldn't quite detect but that enticed his senses. Something was about to change.

He didn't even stir when a second figure appeared next to him, quiet and stealthy as a shadow. There was a quiet moment before the red head spoke, choosing his words carefully. "What brings you here so late in the evening?"

"…Couldn't sleep."

The red head cocked an eyebrow and went back to staring out the window. "So, you sense it too." It wasn't a question.

"…Of course, I do." He didn't need to voice what they could both already feel.

"...Then you know what this means."

The darker one just nodded.

Preview for Next Chapter….

With Malik and his Ghouls hot on their trail, Anzu and Shizuka enlist in the help of a surprising source, but will he turn out to be a friend or foe? More will be revealed about the outcome of the final duel…

Author Notes: Well, I hope that was a good start. I don't know how many people will actually read this since Yu-Gi-Oh! is over and YuYu Hakusho has been cancelled, but I'll see what happens. I'm sure you're wondering what happened to Yuugi, Kaiba, and the others, but you'll just have to wait. Oh yeah, please don't hate Honda too much... there's a reason for the way he's acting. Please review!