Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho, I do, however, own my characters and plot.
Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoy it!
No One's POV
"Now listen boys, there's another tournament coming up and I want to make sure you are prepared for it. It's a lot different from the Dark Tournament and a lot of very strong A, if not S-class demons will be entering," says Koenma to the four boys lounging around his office.
"Yeah, yeah, we get it binky breath; just tell us what we have to do. We'll win it for you and then could we get one lousy vacation from this gig?!!" This comes from the leader of the gang, Yuseke.
Koenma sighs before continuing, "Just listen for one moment, Yuseke. This tournament involves a lot more; there are trials you have to pass first before you're even allowed to compete. An agility, strength, stamina and power ability exams have to be passed first by all of you before you can entire the team and individual competitions. Now, this tournament starts in about three months, so I suggest you start training now. If you have anymore questions, talk to Botan, now leave I have heaps of paperwork to get through."
With some shrugs and muttering the gang leaves the room and enters a portal already waiting for them. They step out into their house's living room and they take their usual seats. Hiei lounging on the windowsill, Kurama on the sofa opening a book and Yuseke and Kuwabara sitting on the floor.
"So what do you think about this tournament, Kurama?" asks Yuseke out of the blue.
"It seems odd. I have never heard of a tournament where exams had to be passed first. I'm assuming they just want the best demons to get in for the actual competition that way the fights are better."
"I guess you're right. Just wish we could know more about it."
"Well, why don't you, uh, call Botan? That's what Koenma said to do." Chimes in Kuwabara
Yuseke gives Kuwabara a menacing glare before opening up his communicator and saying hello to Botan. He snaps it shut after about a minute of conversation and Botan appears almost instantly.
"So you wanna know more about the tournament, huh? Well, from what I know, it's only held once every couple hundred years by some really strong family clan that's been around for thousands and thousands of years, by strong I mean like A-class or higher. They do it to find the best demons or humans in the Makai and Ningenkai and name the champions and they get whatever they want as their prize plus a large sum of money." She states a matter-of-factly.
"That doesn't sound too bad, should be a walk through the park." Yuseke directs towards the gang. Kuwabara laughs along with Yuseke, Kurama just shakes his head and Hiei 'hn's' as usual.
"Ummm, I'm assuming that Koenma didn't tell you about the part where the champions of the tournament end up missing within a few months after the tournament and then never appear again?"
"WHAT?!" shouts Kuwabara and Yuseke, while Kurama looks at Botan intrigued and even Hiei looks slightly interested but hides it and glares back out the window.
"Well, yes. After every tournament that we've recorded the all the champions turn up missing and are never seen again. That's why Koenma's sending you, to find out what's happening to them."
"That would've been nice to know when we agreed to sign-up for this!"
"Sorry! Remember don't kill the messenger!!" She squeals as Yuseke starts turn red out of anger.
"That stupid baby! Why couldn't he just tell us himself?! I'm tired of always putting my life on the line for that little brat!"
"Botan, didn't you also say that humans would be entering as well?" asks Kurama to diffuse the situation. He's put his book down by now and is paying close attention to what Botan is saying.
"Why, yes. Afterall, some humans do know about the Makai because of previous associations with demons or Spirit World, though none have ever won. They're allowed to enter but they have to pass the different exams as well before being allowed to fight." She says while blushing from all of Kurama's attention.
"Alright, just tell us more about these exams, so we can make sure moron over here makes it through." Yuseke flicks a finger towards Kuwabara who shouts back and the two start fighting until Kurama pulls them apart.
"Getting injured right before a tournament won't do either of you good; let's hear what Botan has to say about these exams, so we know what to practice for." Yuseke and Kuwabara nod and go back to their sitting positions on the floor.
"Okay, so there are four exams. The first is agility, you basically have to run a certain distance and get a time under or at their requirement time. Strength is the next one and I believe you have to punch or kick this thing that registers how much force you put into it, there's two different requirements for that one, one for humans and one for demons. Uhh, let's see, oh the next is stamina! It's basically just one huge obstacle course that will require you to do a lot of different things to get through it. And the last one is the power ability, where you just have to show off some of your moves and techniques. I'm not quite sure how you pass that one; it is the last one so I guess as long as you pass the other three you should be okay. Now, to make it to the competition, you do have to pass three out of four exams."
"Well, that doesn't sound too bad. We should be able to do that no problem." Yuseke said grinning, "Well, it should be easier for everybody except Kuwabara!"
"Hey Urameshi! I'm just as strong as you are, and I've got my spirit sword. I just have to pass the speed or stamina one too!"
"Okay, so anyways," Botan says while rubbing the back of her head, "there are two different kinds of competition. The one that's right after the exams is the individual fighting. It's one-on-one and the champion gets a prize of whatever they wish and some money. Then the team fighting takes place, you have to have five people so Koenma suggested you find someone from the individual competition. Hiei and Kurama know quite a few people and any strong demons should turn up there, so you should be able to find someone. If not, Koenma should be able to find someone for you."
"I wish he would've told us all this earlier, when we were in his office."
"Well it's just that he's got a lot on his mind and a toooonnn of paperwork to do! Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got some work to do!" With that Botan disappeared and left the boys to their thoughts.
Kurama was the first to speak up, "Well, I suppose we should begin training immediately. We only have three months before the tournament."
The others nod their heads in agreement and go outside to the training area.
*Fast-forward about three months*
The boys were slowly walking down a dirt path in front of the hotels, bars and restaurants that were located on the island where the tournament was being held. It was quite beautiful; there was a forest that covered most of the island with mountains off in the distance, and a white sand beach on the ocean front.
"Why are all these damn things on islands?" Yuseke mutters, reminiscing about the boat ride to the Dark Tournament.
Before any can reply, they see some figures waving at them in the distance. Immediately recognizing them, the boys picked up their pace and met the girls halfway. They were greeted by hugs from the all the girls. Keiko, Yukina, Shizuru and Botan were all smiling and laughing.
"What are you guys doing here?!"
"Well, we are allowed to watch Yuseke and this place has much better security and protection for its audience than the Dark Tournament. They have special barriers placed in front of the stands, so no stray attacks can hit the audience, and if you harm any non-competitor outside the arena, you're automatically disqualified and sent home." Botan smiled, she had known this along and had been looking forward to hanging out with all the girls again.
"Besides it'll be fun, there's a beach and plenty of hot springs around. We'll have plenty to do. You won't have to worry about us!" Keiko piped in, smiling sweetly at Yuseke.
The boys relented and began walking with the girls towards the hotel so they could check in. On their way, a portal opened in front of them and a figure all in black walked out. They were covered head to toe in a thick, soft black material. They had a hood that came over their face and wrapped around in front of their mouth and nose, with a black mesh screen in front of their eyes. From underneath the hood, they saw a silver cord run down and connect to a small mp3 player in the stranger's hand. The portal closed behind the figure and disappeared. The stranger looked around until its gaze settled on the gang. It looked them up and down, sizing them up before turning and shaking their head. The figure stalked off into the direction of the hotel, ignoring the gang and leaving them in the dust.
"Well, that was weird." Kuwabara said being the first one to speak. The others nodded their heads in agreement before resuming their walk towards the hotel. Yukina remained quiet for the rest of the walk, while the others around laughed and talked, minus Hiei of course, and was wondering why that figure in black seemed so familiar.
And that my friends is where I leave you! I promise that next time you'll get to find out what your character looks like and some of their abilities please review!