A.N. I hate Elder Toguro. I really, truly hate him. Of all the characters in the show, he's the one I find the most revolting. Everything about him makes my skin crawl. Anyway, he's about to get his just desserts.

NightWolfRUNNER: The fact that Sakura's fight was recorded is going to be important. Like I said, that match will result in huge implications

Hina714: I'll be honest, just writing about that plant made me nauseous. I wouldn't want to see it for real. I wish guys like Kurama existed too. I'm told they're around, but I'm yet to find one myself.

Ghost of Magic: Well said. Akumu brought it on herself. She was warned repeatedly but refused to stop. I'm glad she's gone.

Layla347: Agreed. I was so worn out after writing the last few chapters. It was insane.

hw0134160: Sakura's going to need a lot of time and love to process everything, but she's not alone. And I'm very much looking forward to writing about it. As for Scarface... I can't say too much except keep an eye on him. Everything is about to unravel, and it's going to be crazy. You're too kind, really. There's no way my dad could ever stop me writing. For one, I'm a grown adult and two, he hasn't lived with me since I was three. He just wants to be in control. I'm so grateful to Sakura for sharing her story with me, and to you for being so wonderful (PS. I love the term "AssButt. I think I'll steal it!).

MrsHatakePrime: Welcome! I'm so glad you love it!

Guest: Thankyou! Funny you should mention that, because I've just worked out how I'm going to handle that aspect of the story. I think everyone will love it!

I can't begin to express how much I love my readers. You are all such wonderful people, and Sakura loves you all too. Please keep reading and writing reviews, we both appreciate it so much. Only two fights left in the Dark Tournament. Let's not waste any more time and get right into it!

I don't own YYH, just my OCs.

Chapter 25

Sakura felt like she might faint again. No, it can't be!

Kuwabara crumpled to the ground, and the trial sword spun away, across the stone floor. Elder Toguro's hand burst from the stone floor, behind where Kuwabara now lay covered in blood. He was cackling madly.

"What the?!" Yusuke yelled.

"I said before that Elder Toguro had been sliced in two, but the real life splitting must've occurred before the sword came down," Koto was clearly rattled. "It appears he's made some kind of a clone, slipped through a crack and attacked Kuwabara from behind!"

Jorge tapped her on the shoulder. "Smashing analysis as always Koto, but could he maybe have a twin?"

"We do background checks on all the contestants, and there was no sign of that," Koto answered.

"Hmm…" Jorge looked thoughtful. "How about triplets?"

If the situation hadn't been so dire, Sakura would've laughed. Instead, she just watched the rest of Elder Toguro emerging from the ground with a feeling of dread.

Giggling, Elder Toguro turned back to an injured Kuwabara. "You are a very simple-minded child. It feels so nice to trick you,"

"It's supposed to be one on one!" Kuwabara growled, despite the pain.

"Oh, I do assure you that my decoy and I are part of the same body," Now that he was fully visible, everyone could see that Koto had been quite correct in her guess. The decoy was made from Elder Toguro's hand. "You got me, but when you see the truth of it, it's just a paper cut," he explained, showing off the small scratch he'd received. "I feel the sensation of pain, but it's quite unlike yours. You see, I can move my body's vital organs wherever I please. When I see your attack coming, I simply adjust so that all you hit is flesh. It makes injuring me very complicated,"

Sakura covered her eyes. Elder Toguro's demonstration of his shape-shifting abilities was hideously unnerving.

"All you are is a little freak show!" Kuwabara spat. Grinning, Elder Toguro shot out his tendrils to retrieve the Trial Sword that Kuwabara had dropped.

"It is truly an exquisite sword," he observed it lovingly. "You inherit it from her?"

Kuwabara blinked. "Who?"

"You would think she'd leave something like this for her apprentice," Elder Toguro continued. "But I guess Yusuke wasn't strong enough,"

"You don't know what you're talking about! Genkai's just sick!" Kuwabara insisted.

Sakura bit her lip as her stinging eyes welled up again. Oh God, Kuwabara!

"Oh, that's perfectly sad. Your friends have been keeping secrets." Elder Toguro shook his head in mock sorrow. "Genkai is dead. She has been for two days,"

Kuwabara's jaw dropped. He looked as though he'd been stabbed again. "No, it can't be!" He stared desperately at the team, wanting them to tell him it was all a lie. But seeing Sakura's devastated face, the way Yusuke wasn't looking at him, Kuwabara realised the awful truth at last.

"She's not fighting today. You're the only one left,"... "You pull your own weight from now on,"... "Kuwabara, there's something I have to tell you…it's about Genkai…"

Those cryptic words from Yusuke, Hiei and Sakura finally made sense. "So that's what Kura meant. Everybody knew except me…" he gasped.

"Oh my gosh, is it true? Botan?" Keiko turned to Botan for answers, and saw the Grim Reaper doubled over with quiet sobs. "Is it true what he said? Is Genkai really gone?!"

Weeping, Botan nodded slowly.

Elder Toguro was watching Kuwabara's heartbreak with pure ecstasy. He lazily shot more tentacles into the fresh stab marks on the boy. "Don't cry, Kuwabara. It isn't your fault the old witch couldn't stay. Go question her yourself if you don't believe me," He pressed his fingers further, drawing more blood. "Another few inches and I can take out your heart,"

Kuwabara was hunched over on his knees, struggling to draw breath and dripping blood all over the ground.

"Someone stop him!" Yukina called tearfully.

Sakura's legs felt weak. Just like Master Shinsuke… please, not Kuwabara too!

As if he knew what she was thinking, Elder Toguro grinned at her. "Are you enjoying the reenactment of how I took care of dear Master Shin, Sakura? Of course, nothing beats the real thing, but this is close enough,"

Kurama glared at him while Sakura clenched her fists. She was far too angry to speak. She just wanted to smash his despicable face in and silence him for good.

"Kuwabara!" Yusuke called. He sounded agonised, but in truth, a small part of Sakura hoped he was feeling the guilt he deserved to. If he'd just told Kuwabara… or let someone else tell him…

Elder Toguro smirked and finally retracted his claws. "What a sad life when your friends aren't even straight with you. But I will tell you everything about the frailty of your human kind. It's the story of a young, impressionable girl named Genkai," His hand twisted to form a puppet of Genkai, but not the wise old lady they'd known. This was the strong, youthful Genkai in her prime.

"She was the most beautiful girl in all the land," Elder Toguro smiled at Kuwabara's horror. "She was a fighter who wanted to be the very best in the world. Then she met a man named Toguro who also wanted to be the best. He agreed to play with her. They did everything together. So much so that the man nearly forgot his own brother. The woman and the man were even in love," The Genkai puppet began to age before their eyes. "But then the woman became ugly like a prune, and no-one wanted to be around her,"

Younger Toguro frowned. "Brother…" he growled in warning.

"Oh, it's ok," Elder Toguro said dismissively. "He's just a little anxious because this next chapter is his favourite part in the story. You see, the man became a demon who would stay strong and never become a prune. The ugly woman became extremely jealous of the handsome man, and went to fight him. But she was not strong anymore. So the man was happy to murder her!" With his claws, he demonstrated exactly what he meant.

Yusuke, Hiei and Kurama were shooting death stares at Elder Toguro. Sakura buried her head in her hands. The pain in Kuwabara's eyes was heartbreaking. Leaving him out of the loop was unforgivable, and she knew she wasn't entirely blameless in this as well. Even if she was reeling from what had happened to Genkai and Master Shinsuke, there was no excuse for her silence. She knew Yusuke wouldn't be able to do it, and her attempts to tell Kuwabara the truth were feeble at best.

I should've just gritted my teeth and shouted it out when I had the chance. Anything would've been better than Kuwabara finding out this way, from this soulless creature.

"This sadistic puppet show has brought up a very different explanation for Genkai's absence," Koto gasped. "Apparently she was killed by Toguro before the finals even began!"

But Elder Toguro wasn't done. "Muttering some final rubbish to her failed apprentice, the woman's soul drifted off to some quiet corner of hell. We lived happily ever after!" Having finally finished his show, Elder Toguro burst into insane laughter. The same laughter Sakura heard as he'd killed her master.

"SHUT UP!" Sakura yelled. The only thing keeping her upright at this point was Kurama's arms. It was a wonder she hadn't crumbled into pieces.

It'll be alright, my love. Kurama sounded like he was trying to convince himself as much as her.

Yusuke couldn't contain himself. "That's all crap!" he roared. "Genkai wasn't jealous! Toguro killed her cause he couldn't have her!"

"Your brother is something of a fool," Sakyo observed.

"Yes, it's a bad habit of his," Toguro said ruefully.

Kuwabara got to his feet. He was shaking with fury. "I'm gonna kill you," he promised. "You better know that,"

"That's very nice enthusiasm but you must've forgotten that I have your weapon," Elder Toguro taunted, waving said weapon around. "I'd give it back, but helplessness is more fun,"

"You're honourless!" Kuwabara spat.

"Yes I am," The vile demon smiled in agreement. "Good thing that's not what this tournament is about!"

His hand, now shaped like a drill, headed straight for Kuwabara's chest cavity, only to have it bounce right off. "What's happening here? I can't pierce your skin!"

Sakura hardly dared hope, but it seemed like Kuwabara might have a chance. "What's going on?!"

"I see! Kuwabara's strength and his resolve appear to be closely related!" Kurama murmured.

Kuwabara was surrounded by a yellow aura, burning almost as brightly as Sakura's Spirit Flame. He was absolutely radiating with power and anger. "You have no soul," he yelled. "You're just a nasty little waste of space! Now, DIE!" From his hand, Kuwabara blasted a flurry of ki shards towards his enemy, slicing him from head to toe. Blood streamed across the stone floor.

Koto was so excited by the bloodshed that she jumped to her feet. "Ooh, yet another new attack from Kuwabara! Looks like a variation on his normal Spirit Sword. Elder Toguro is left on the floor in a pile of assorted body parts!"

Juri had already started the count. "One… two…"

"Maybe honour doesn't matter to your kind, Toguro, but it does to me," Kuwabara said contemptuously and began to walk away.

"That was nice!" Yusuke smiled for the first time since the match began.

Sakura gave him a look. You know you're in trouble, right?

Not now, you damn brat! Yusuke retorted.

"Five… six…"

Elder Toguro's eyes flickered open. "Stop counting," he hissed. "Do you really think it's over?"

Everyone froze. Elder Toguro's dismembered body was quite literally knitting itself back together.

"What the hell is this?" Sakura breathed. "How is this even possible?"

Kurama tightened his hold on her. "I have no idea,"

"You're more ingenious than I thought," The demon said slyly to a visibly shaken Kuwabara. "But you better conserve your energy from now on. You're already hurt and I have yet to be,"

Kuwabara lost what little colour he had left. "What are you?!"

Elder Toguro smirked while putting himself back together. "Good question. I'd like to know that myself. I suppose you'll have to ask the tournament committee who made my wish come true. I knew I'd become a demon. The rest was just trial and error,"

Sakura slapped a hand over her mouth and tried not to retch. Muscles, tendons, blood, it was all coming back together before her eyes. "What the hell kind of power is this?" she gasped. But nobody had any answer for her.

Kuwabara was transfixed. A trickle of nervous sweat dripped off his forehead, but the crowd was reacting with despicable enthusiasm. Apparently none of them had seen anything like this before either.

By now, Elder Toguro was back on his feet and grinning more widely than ever. "The only chance you have at beating me and surviving, Kuwabara, is to pierce either my heart or my brain. But that's not very fair, is it? It's like searching for a needle in a haystack, except the needle can move whenever it chooses,"

"Just shut up!" Kuwabara's voice had risen with panic. Every attack he had seemed useless against this grotesque creature.

"I think I'll skip the search and send you straight to your death," Elder Toguro shot out his tendrils again. "Don't forget to tell Genkai how much we miss her!" The claws sank deep into Kuwabara's body and began flinging him around through the air. "Allow me to reacquaint you with… the ground!"

Yusuke clenched his teeth. "You bastard!"

Kurama, this… this is just like with Master Shin. Kurama glanced at Sakura. Her eyes were wide and horrified. And telepathically, she was communicating all the things she could never say out loud. I couldn't save him, and now I'm going to have to watch the same thing happen to Kuwabara. If I'd just taken that freak down in the forest, none of this would have happened. It's… it's all my fault!

Kurama's gentle voice interrupted. "Kura, enough," He pulled her around to face him, holding her shoulders firmly. "I need you. Yusuke needs you. We all do,"

Of course. How stupid of her to forget. They were still in the Tournament, still fighting to live. She looked up and nodded slowly, indicating that she understood. She had to stay grounded. Just for a bit longer.

"Stay with me, my love," Kurama drilled his green eyes into her. "Remember your promise,"

Sakura took a deep, shuddering breath. "Of course," she murmured. "Always,"

Meanwhile, Elder Toguro slammed Kuwabara face first into the concrete and pinned him there with his lethal claws. "Now's your chance to cry and beg for your life, like your dear friend Genkai did right before my brother killed her!"

"Liar!" Kuwabara choked.

Juri snapped to attention. "Oh, Kuwabara appears to be down. So I guess I'd better start the count. One… two… three…"

"You can stop," Elder Toguro laughed. "I have other plans for this one that don't include him living to see the end of this match!"

"I'm sorry sir, but I have to count," Juri said awkwardly.

"Then YOU will end up next to him!" Elder Toguro threatened, causing Juri to stop counting and jump back in alarm. Grinning, he turned back to Kuwabara with his body shifting around in the most hideous way. "The funny thing is, even if you could stand up, which you can't, there's no way you could beat me. You see, you'll never be able to precisely pinpoint my vital organs because they are never in one place for very long!"

Though still pinned, Kuwabara's face was as defiant as ever. "Whether it's in this fight or the next one Toguro, know this: I will beat you!" he vowed.

Elder Toguro's eye returned to its natural position. He was ready to end this. "I was going to play with you a while longer, but your voice grows irksome. Perhaps I'll just cut out your tongue,"

Team Urameshi watched, a mix of stone faced and terrified as Elder Toguro's hand twisted into a razor-sharp blade.

Kuwabara, please get up! Sakura pleaded. You're strong. You can do this!

I know, Kura… I just… Kuwabara's eyes darted to the Trial Sword lying on the ground behind Elder Toguro. If I can only reach…!

Cackling, Elder Toguro admired his weapon. "My mother always wanted me to become a surgeon," he purred. "It's a pity I played hooky the day we dissected frogs. Oh well. DIE!"

"You monster!" Shizuru screamed from high in the stands.

But Sakura could see Kuwabara's hand stretching out. He slammed his palm into the ground. "Come to Papa!" he roared, and his ki erupted through the unyielding stone floor, past the unsuspecting Elder Toguro, and succeeded in dragging the Trial Sword back to its rightful owner.

"What is that?" Elder Toguro gasped.

Now freed, Kuwabara slashed his weapon. "It's another round of slicing for the bad guy! Goodbye!"

Sakura shut her eyes for a second as blood squirted everywhere, Elder Toguro's screams ringing in her ears.

Kuwabara looked contemptuously at the dismembered demon lying before him and took a breath. "I call the shots, and I do want a count!"

Juri's eyes were nearly popping from their sockets, but she composed herself. "I shouldn't be taking orders from you guys, but since this one complies with the actual rules… one…"

"There's no need for that, young lady," Elder Toguro snapped. "You are quite a slow learner, Kuwabara. I thought we already established that my body does not like to go to pieces, so it doesn't," As he spoke, his muscles began repairing themselves, dragging his limbs closer to his torso.

"Too bad," Kuwabara growled. "It's a look you deserve,"

"What's too bad is that little Sakura's master didn't have such abilities. Wouldn't you agree, girl?" Elder Toguro's beady eyes glittered as he locked them onto Sakura's white face. "If only you could've seen how he looked when I was finished with him. What was left, at least!"

Sakura bit her tongue as Kurama took hold of her arm in warning. She didn't have words to describe her hatred for this evil being. How had he ever been human once? It didn't seem possible. And worse, defeating him also seemed impossible.

"Leave her alone, Toguro!" Kuwabara ordered. "This is my fight, and you're about to pay!"

"Stupid child," Elder Toguro sighed, still in the process of healing himself. "I've been very sporting. You know I've told you exactly how to end my life, and yet you are obviously unfit to do it,"

A purple glow threw the arena into relief. Something else was emanating from the Trial Sword. But what?

"I've thought about what you said before, Toguro," Kuwabara went on, looking at his new weapon. "And you're right, I've got no idea where your vital organs are hiding. So I'll just pound everything all at once,"

At last, it made sense, and Koto explained for everyone in the audience. "Kuwabara's shaped his sword into something like a giant tennis racquet. And I believe he's about to make Toguro into his unwilling bright yellow ball!"

If Team Urameshi was shocked at this unexpected move, it was nothing compared to Elder Toguro's reaction. For the first time, he looked afraid. "Stay back!" he squealed.

"Well, since we're sharing here, my mother always wanted me to be an exterminator," Kuwabara stepped slowly, deliberately towards his adversary and raised his arm. "So now… it's time to make her proud of me! Spirit Fly Swatter!"

A horrified scream, a hideous smack, flashing light and smoke billowing from the destroyed stone tiles. Kuwabara stood up, staring down at where his opponent had been whacked into oblivion by his hands.

"Ok Juri. Call the damn match," he spat.

Juri picked her way over and examined Ground Zero. "Ugh. There's nothing left of him. And the winner of the third match of the finals is Kuwabara!"

Naturally, the crowd reacted with anger, while Team Urameshi and their cheer squad began celebrating in their own way.

"He did it!" Sakura allowed Kurama to envelope her in an embrace, but she couldn't take her eyes off Kuwabara. He was standing alone in the ring, and she'd never seen him look so cold and empty. Without a word or an expression, he turned on his heel and headed directly for the rest of his team.

"In a major unforeseen upset the underdog Team Urameshi moves ahead of the reigning champions, Team Toguro, with a score of 2-1!" Koto called. "Of course, technically they've won three matches but the wildcard round wasn't actually about scoring points. Still!"

Yusuke grinned at Kuwabara as he approached. "It's about time you won a fight. That was awesome,"

Kuwabara was getting closer. And closer. He didn't say anything.

Yusuke frowned. "You alright there, man?"

"Oh, damn," Though she was still shaky, Sakura pulled away from Kurama and stepped in front of her brother. "Kazuma…"

BAM! Kuwabara reached over Sakura's head and sank his enormous fist into Yusuke's jaw. Yusuke stumbled backwards. Between the two boys, Sakura lost what little balance she had and landed on the ground, but Kurama was at her side in a second.

He had that one coming. Sakura shook her head. But at least I tried.

"What was that for?!" Yusuke wiped the blood trickling from his mouth.

Kuwabara looked furious. "I thought that we were a team. But I guess I'm just one big joke to you all, aren't I?" he said fiercely. "Well this joke has feelings! Genkai meant a lot to me, too!"

Yusuke looked down as Kuwabara rounded on him.

"Kuwabara, I…" Sakura began.

"Stay out of this, Kura!" Kuwabara yelled, and seized the front of Yusuke's shirt. "Did you all just sit around and laugh about how clueless I was? Is this how you get your kicks, Urameshi? Huh!?" He shook him. "Answer me!"

Sakura turned away. She couldn't bear it. The yelling, the anger, the absolute devastation on her twin's face… it was all too much.

I'll handle this. Kurama squeezed her shoulder and stood up. "Kuwabara, listen…"

"This doesn't concern you!" Kuwabara snapped, still holding Yusuke.

"Yusuke did not tell Hiei or me either," Kurama said gently. "We were left to detect her passing for ourselves,"

Kuwabara looked around wildly. "Is this true?!"

Yusuke pulled himself free. "I didn't tell anybody. She died in my arms,"

"But Kura tried to tell me, right?" Kuwabara pointed at her. "So she knew!"

Sakura nodded slowly. "I… only knew because I got there just as she went. Right after Elder Toguro killed Master Shinsuke. Yusuke really didn't tell anyone. At all,"

"Then what?" Kuwabara was beginning to calm down.

"Kura was meant to take her place, just on the off-chance we needed her to fight," Yusuke mumbled, still avoiding anyone's eyes. "I guess I thought if I never said it, it wouldn't have to be real. I'd like to think that I know better than that now. The only way to move on is to give her death the reverence she deserves and to give grief its due," He seemed lost in thought, but finally faced Kuwabara. "But that's why I couldn't tell you. I'm sorry you had to find out the way you did, Kuwabara. And I'm sorry you thought we tricked you. But I can't apologise for dealing with this the only way that I knew how,"

Sakura closed her eyes and sighed. She wasn't happy with Yusuke for keeping Kuwabara in the dark. But at the same time, she understood what he was saying. She'd known all along that he didn't know how to handle loss. He didn't know how to talk about his emotions, not even with her. Not really.

Without looking at anyone else, Yusuke brushed past Kuwabara on his way to the ring.

"Urameshi!" Kuwabara said suddenly. Yusuke turned around. "Win this," Kuwabara muttered.

Yusuke gave a small smile. "Right,"

"Yusuke…" Sakura struggled to her feet. Kurama took her shoulders to steady her.

Her brother stopped walking and ruffled her hair. "Whatever happens, stay with Kurama," he looked up at the latter. "I'm trusting you, Fox Boy,"

Kurama nodded. "You have my word,"

Koto's commentary followed Yusuke all the way to the ring. "You could cut the tension around here with a seven-foot samurai sword as the crowd waits. Some scramble to place last minute bets before the windows close,"

"Toguro? Allow me to go first," To everyone's astonishment, it was Sakyo who stepped into the arena, not Toguro.

A murmur swept through the crowd. Nobody knew what to think of this development. "What's Sakyo doing?"

"He wouldn't last ten seconds!"

Sakyo politely held out a hand to Juri. "The mic, please?"

Hiei scowled. "What's he planning?"

"I bet it's something bad…" Kuwabara muttered, then suddenly looked at Koenma with wide eyes. "Hold on… after this match, who would fight Sakyo?"

"Who do you think?" Koenma said in a low, worried voice with a glance at Sakura.

Startled, Yusuke whipped his head around. "What are you saying?" he asked quickly. "You… you don't think he's planning to drag Kura back into the ring first?!"

Koenma took a breath. "It's the rules, Yusuke," he explained. "In the final round, each team member can only fight once… except for the substitute,"

"Does he really think any of us would allow that?" Hiei flexed his fist. "For that matter, do you?"

Sakura felt her heart stop. She stared at Koenma, then immediately turned to Kurama. "No," she breathed. "No, not again,"

Kurama took her hand. "Let's hear what he has to say first of all," But if Sakyo was indeed trying to disgrace the girl he loved further, he already knew exactly what would happen. The others could take who they wished, but he would be the one to destroy Scarface.

Sakyo looked so out of place. With his expensive business suit, slicked hair and admittedly good looks, it was bizarre to see him standing in the middle of the ring. "I'd like to place one last bet before the fourth match begins. I'm confident Toguro will win. So confident, in fact… I'll stake my life on it!"

"Sakyo is attempting to make this the decisive battle," Hiei folded his arms. "Very clever,"

"What I am proposing here is that whichever team wins this match earns two points," Sakyo continued. "I may be the team owner, but I know I don't have what it takes to satisfy the crowd. The public deserves to have the true stars of this tournament determine its outcome. Urameshi versus Toguro. Of course, this will only work if their team's owner and the honourable tournament committee can agree to my terms," He paused, and eyed Sakura. "If not… well, I'm sure the next match will be quite disappointing,"

"His head's gone haywire," Kuwabara stammered. "Who just goes and bets their own life like that?"

"Yeah, I'll do it!" Koenma said immediately. "I accept your challenge. I am placing my life on Yusuke to win,"

Yusuke's jaw dropped. "Koenma!"

Surprisingly, Koenma didn't look too concerned. "Now, I know how you feel about me, but please, don't let that get in your way. At least look like you're trying to win,"

Yusuke paused. "But what if I don't win?"

With a sigh, Koenma pulled Yusuke aside and jerked his head towards Sakura. "If you don't win, then your sister's in a heap of trouble," he said bluntly. "Look at her, Yusuke. She's a wreck after what Akumu did. She's only holding herself together for you. There's no way I'm going to let her experience more humiliation. I helped get you both stuck in this mess, and as leader of the Spirit World I can't just fly off on a jetpack while Sakyo does whatever he wants to with that money,"

Yusuke glanced at his sister. She was on the ground with her head bowed, ghostly-white and trembling. Even if it was just against Sakyo, she couldn't fight again, that much was obvious. Not after everything he'd done to her. And like Hiei said, none of them would allow it. There was a feeling in the air between all four of the boys that they'd kill everyone in the stadium if they had to, in order to prevent it. Yusuke nodded. He had to be the one to end this. It was the only way.

"Attention everyone," Koto called. "The tournament committee will take ten minutes to consider this. And that means all parties have an additional ten minutes to place any final bets!"

The crowd began milling about accordingly. Sakyo beckoned to Toguro and Scarface. They were all that remained.

Sakura watched them leave the stadium with ice in her heart. One more match and that was it? No way. It seemed too good to be true. There had to be something else behind this, some other twist of the knife to test them. And she was the only one who could find out…

Toguro followed Sakyo out to the balcony while Scarface trailed behind. "How's the committee voting?" he asked. "Didn't you have me kill them all?"

"Did I? Then they shouldn't take much convincing." Sakyo said mildly, lighting another cigarette. "My little stunt caused a frenzy," he smiled at Scarface. "Do you think I've raised the stakes enough, my boy?"

Scarface looked over the railing at Team Urameshi. "I'm not surprised Koenma agreed to it. I heard him say he's trying to prevent the Urameshi girl from experiencing more humiliation,"

"Oh dear," Sakyo chuckled. "I'd say it's far too late for that. It would've been kinder for them to let Akumu finish the poor girl off,"

Scarface shut his eyes. "Those memories… did either of you expect to see such things?"

"Are you feeling alright, my boy?" Sakyo asked.

Scarface forced a smile, which came out more like a grimace. "I'm fine, Master Sakyo. Excuse me, I need a moment,"

Sakyo watched his young bodyguard leave and turned back to Toguro. "You know, there's nothing quite like putting your life on the line to make you re-examine it," he said almost wistfully. "I was born into a normal working class family, the youngest of five brothers. My parents never had any money, but they were very loving. I hated them both," Sakyo paused, reflecting. "My brothers all took honest, white collar jobs and wives and kids… if I had their lives I would kill myself. Luckily their fate was not for me. I was too smart. I think my adolescent years were typical. I became obsessed with death and violence and suffering, so I got an after school job where I could surround myself with those things. I spent hours every day locked in the back room of that pet store. Sometimes I'd play a little game where I'd challenge myself to see how long I could keep something alive once I had carved out its heart. In less than three years I moved onto people, but even that was unsatisfying. So my sole passion became gambling. I lived for it, was good at it and used it to make my way up in the underworld. Wagering my life has always been one of my strategies," He flashed a sinister smile. "Obviously, I've never lost. This time will be no different,"

Sakura abruptly cut the connection, willing herself not to be sick. She didn't know what was worse, the horrific things Sakyo was saying, or his casual tone while telling the story. If the tournament committee was dead, then that meant Sakyo had always been pulling the strings. He'd probably been planning this from the beginning. But what for?

"Yusuke," she said faintly.

He was at her side in a flash. "What's going on, Kura? Did you see something? What's that psycho really up to?"

In response, Sakura stood up and seized Yusuke's shirt. "He's insane," she whimpered. "Sakyo is out of his mind. I don't know what he's planning to do with the prize money, but it's nothing good. You have to win," she shook him. Her voice was cracking with hysteria. "Do you understand?! You absolutely have to win, or we'll all die!"

By now, everyone else on the team was staring. Yusuke caught hold of Sakura's wrists. "Kura, I…" he didn't have a clue what to say.

"Kura," Kurama pulled her away as gently as possible. "Settle down, my love. You have to stay with me, with all of us,"

Sakura stared at him. "I… I think I'm losing my mind," she whispered, slipping to the ground again. "I feel like I'm going insane," Her inner strength, the inner fire that had raged during her time in the ring had died out. Instead, it was replaced by a cloud of torment.

Kurama knelt down to her level and took her face in his hands. "No," he said firmly. "I won't allow it," And without another word, he leaned in and kissed her. At his touch, Sakura shivered slightly, then seemed to go limp as she kissed him back. Within seconds, she'd gripped the front of his clothing and pulled him closer.

Please don't go. Don't walk away. Her thoughts were just as desperate as her embrace.

Kurama enfolded her in his arms, beginning to be afraid for her. I'm not going anywhere. He reassured her in his gentlest tone. Knowing how much pain she was in broke his heart. They've taken far too much from us, my precious Sakura. I won't let them take you from me, too.

What's going on? Why can't I make sense of that girl?

Obsessively touching the old scar above his eye, Scarface punched the wall in frustration. None of this added up. They'd only had a single victory so far in the final round. Nearly every member of Team Toguro was dead. Sakyo's plan to destroy Sakura Urameshi had backfired. Now his master had staked his own life on the next match.

Moreover, he was shaken by his own thoughts while Sakura fought Akumu. The niggling doubts that had plagued him since the night before were growing stronger, and at one point he'd wanted it all to stop. What was the matter with him? He'd never questioned Master Sakyo on anything before, not in the fifteen years he'd worked under him.

What if we fail? That scenario seemed more and more likely each moment. Scarface shuddered at the thought.

"There you are," Toguro smirked. "Are you done sulking yet?"

"Sulking?" Scarface snorted. "Annoyed is more accurate. So much planning, so many tedious things I had to do, all to break the old man's final student. And we didn't,"

Toguro looked the boy up and down. "You're not annoyed," he chuckled. "You're scared. Because you know what it means if I lose and Sakyo dies. You'll have nothing. No-one,"

"What's it to you?" Scarface snapped. "Somehow I doubt you give a damn,"

"You're right, I don't," Toguro agreed. "I just wanted to make sure you knew how precarious your situation is," He was towering over the boy, so close that they were nearly touching. "Looks like I was right," he sneered. "Still the same terrified child you were when Sakyo took you in. You won't last a day without him,"

Scarface felt so small and vulnerable in Toguro's presence, and he hated it. He hated everything about this. He hated the feeling of losing what little control he had on this whole situation. "I…" he struggled to find the words, but in his heart he knew Toguro was right. Sakyo was all he had. He might as well still be that spineless little boy that he'd been fifteen years ago. The same empty shell that Sakyo had given meaning to again. If he suddenly found himself all alone, there was no hope for his future. He wouldn't even have one.

Just then, Sakyo appeared at Toguro's shoulder. "I see Toguro found you, my boy. Tell me, what's the latest betting news?" he asked Scarface as the three of them walked back into the arena.

"Toguro's odds of winning hold steady at five to one," Scarface muttered. "Team Urameshi are on the rise at three to two,"

Sakyo looked pleased. "Everything's falling into place exactly as planned," he smiled. "I must say, I've really outdone myself this time," He paused and looked over at Team Urameshi. "You know what, Toguro? I don't even feel the slightest bit nervous, risking my life on you,"

"I'm struck by your confidence," Toguro said, observing Yusuke speaking to his teammates in hushed voices. "I've held back at your request long enough. I fight this one on my terms, and my terms alone. I've wanted this since the first time I've fought the boy,"

Sakyo smirked. "I expect no less,"

Beside them, Scarface fixed his eyes on the dark-haired girl sitting quietly next to the boys on her team. He'd been tailing her under Sakyo's orders from day one, and he still couldn't figure her out. What was the deal with this alleged human? How had she managed to get out of that predicament? How had she managed to stay sane? How is it she could still be cheerful, smile and continue to care about people after all she'd been through? How had she refused to kill Akumu herself? How could she have the nerve to pity her enemy? Just what had the old man taught her? No, that was absurd. The old man had clearly failed her, like everyone else he taught.

Questions. So many questions, and he was unlikely to get answers anytime soon. But he knew this: he'd been wrong about that girl. She wasn't a delicate flower. Not at all. And she certainly wasn't human, no matter what anyone else thought. Those memories were shocking, even to him. Ironically it seemed Akumu had made him realise that they had more than a few things in common.

"What are you, Sakura?" he said under his breath. Just looking at her made him think uncomfortable thoughts, and feel things he didn't understand. Even watching Kurama smile at her, touching her face, caused his insides to constrict.

I have to know. I have to understand. Whatever it takes, I will uncover your secrets, Sakura Urameshi. You are not what I believed.

A buzzer sounded, signalling the end of the ten minute interval. Koto opened the envelope that had been passed to her. "I've been informed the committee has no objections to Sakyo's proposal," she said breathlessly. "So this next fight between Toguro and Urameshi will be worth two points, and that means it will determine the winner of this year's Dark Tournament!"

The crowd erupted in cheers of approval, almost completely drowning out Koto's next announcement that the betting was officially closed. Toguro, Sakyo and Scarface were back at the edge of the ring. It was time.

"Yusuke," Sakura called.

He turned around, looking deadly serious. "Yeah?"

Sakura grinned. "Kick his ass,"

Yusuke grinned back. "See you on the other side, Squirt,"

Juri stepped into the ring. She was radiating excitement. "Gentlemen, please take your places. Toguro versus Urameshi!"

Yusuke stared at Toguro, and vice versa. Toguro was smiling, but Yusuke looked at him with the deepest loathing. He wanted nothing more than to make Toguro pay for it all. For Genkai, for Sakura, for everything he'd done.

"Are you guys ready for the climactic battle to begin?" Juri squealed. "On your marks, get -"

A horribly familiar laugh began echoing from somewhere. Everyone paused and Juri looked around wildly. It seemed to be coming from underground.

Kurama pulled Sakura closer. "It can't be!" he gasped.

"Do you all hear that, or is it just me?" Koto asked rather nervously.

The broken tiles on the arena floor began to move, then a mysterious dark mass burst out of the rubble. "I'm willing to bet that you weren't expecting to see me," Elder Toguro giggled insanely. "At least not in this lifetime!"

Sakura felt frozen, terrified. This was insane. They'd seen Kuwabara destroy him. How could he be alive after that? There was just no way!

"I killed you!" Kuwabara cried. "I know I killed you! Why won't you die?"

"Perception of death is different from reality," Elder Toguro breathed, eyeing Yusuke with a crazed look. "The simplest mind will always believe anything it wants to!"

Koto had managed to pull herself together long enough to comment. "The Elder Toguro is back! Since Kuwabara splattered him, I've narrowed down the possibilities to him being either a ghost or a zombie!"

"Before my wounds were fatal, I liquefied and seeped between the tiles," Elder Toguro explained. "And then, I waited to hear that the betting was closed, just so I could emerge triumphantly. We're going to be rich!"

"Asshole…" Yusuke growled. His eye was twitching; a dangerous sign.

Elder Toguro ignored the insult. "You and your pals should know by now that you can't defeat my brother and me unless we want you too! Fortunately my brother wanted to beat Genkai, and I wanted to destroy Shinsuke. Of course, you know how that turned out!"

Yusuke glared at him, but that only seemed to make Elder Toguro happier.

"It's a shame you couldn't have cradled her body in your arms when she was younger," he said viciously, hurling the words at Yusuke as though they were deadly weapons. "She was a real wildcat back in those days, and not just in the heat of battle, if you know what I mean. The things she did with my brother…" he sighed. "I wouldn't have minded having a pass at her myself. Back then, anyway."

Toguro let out a low growl.

Elder Toguro's missing arm was finally back to normal, but he wasn't finished talking yet. "You might get a shot yourself once we reunite you with your whore mentor," he chuckled.

"Just shut up you freak!" Sakura shouted. She'd truly had enough of him. She forgot all about how much she was trembling. She just wanted to rip Elder Toguro apart as he deserved.She had a fleeting image of racing into the ring and sending her Spirit Flame into his revolting face, but that wasn't going to happen. Kurama was holding her too tightly, and Elder Toguro would almost certainly kill her before she even reached him. And that wasn't even considering how low she was on Spirit Energy.

His demented gaze fell on her. "Oh, did I touch a nerve, Miss Urameshi? Was it the truth about Genkai? Or are you just upset that I didn't mention your own master? I'm happy to remedy that now! Would you like another puppet show, or should I just demonstrate using your twin?"

"Don't you say a word to her!" Yusuke yelled.

"Let's go!" Kuwabara said roughly.

Kurama shook his head and kept a strong hold on Sakura. He didn't want her anywhere near that demon. "It isn't your fight,"

"Oh, the heck it ain't!" Kuwabara shot back.

"The call is not left to the interloper," Kurama said firmly. He nodded to Toguro and Yusuke. "Only those two can determine how this match will be fought. You'll see!"

Elder Toguro was nearly drooling, drunk on his own ego and madness. "What will it be, brother?" he laughed. "Any weapon you want. A dagger? A sword? A semi-automatic machine gun? As long as we work together, this competition is in our grasp!"

Toguro strode up behind his brother and gave him a death stare. "No," he growled menacingly.

Elder Toguro looked shocked. "But brother, we can win!" he protested.

"This does NOT involve you," Toguro snarled, and planted his foot into Elder Toguro's stomach, sending him flying into the sky.

Sakura slapped a hand over her mouth. "Have to admit, didn't see that coming," she muttered.

Though part of her wished she was the one destroying that monster, it was still immensely satisfying to watch, even if it was unexpected.

"How could you?!" Elder Toguro screeched, rocketing back towards the ground. "I'm your older brother and you just kicked me, you son of a bitch! Your own brother!"

Toguro didn't even look at him. "You're dead to me!" The next blow completely disintegrated the Elder Toguro, and his screams died out as what was left of him soared out of the stadium, far away from any of them.

Toguro turned calmly back to Yusuke. "I'm sorry, but blood can only run so thick," he said flatly. "This will be a fair fight with you. Down to the letter. This time we fight for real,"

A faint trace of Yusuke's cocky smile had returned. "You bet,"

It's time. Sakura slipped her arm around Kurama's waist and told herself she was ready. After this fight, it would be done for good. She took a breath and allowed herself to drink in the sight of her twin, facing down Toguro without fear. One would walk away, one wouldn't.

But for that brief moment, Yusuke seemed unstoppable in her eyes.

A.N. Just Toguro left now, but the tournament is not over yet! Not only is Sakura desperate to stay sane, it seems Scarface is also having second thoughts.

We're nearly there, everyone. Just one more fight, and the tournament is done. But we still have a few chapters in Book 2 before we move onto Book 3. And maybe you've noticed, but the seeds are being planted. They have been the entire way through. I do love the long game. :) I'm curious to see if any of you have theories about what will happen going forward? Let me know!

Chapter 26 will be released by May 19th. If you haven't already, please follow/favourite. If you liked the chapter, or have anything constructive to say then PLEASE leave a review to keep me writing, and my DMs are ALWAYS open. I love chatting with you all! See you in the next installment.

Next Chapter: Yusuke's fight with Toguro begins, and nobody knows how it will end. Can Sakura keep her mind from snapping completely while watching the carnage, or will she be broken for good?