Dark Tournament: Twist of Fate

"You sure this is the place baby-boy?" Yusuke said. The surrounding area was a beautiful and quiet place. A small pond was positioned in the back side of the small hut. An illustrious garden shined from aside the structure, full of plentiful fruits and vegetables. "Sure doesn't look like much!"

A woman sitting inside a small hut nibbled on a piece of fish. Her beautiful hair swayed in the light breeze. The large Koenma pushed Yusuke toward the hut, where a puff of smoke escaped the chimney. "Don't ever know how to shut your big mouth?" he asked Yusuke.

"Don't you know how to stop sucking on that pacifier?"

Koenma's face turned dark red. He raised his hand to hit Yusuke, but stopped at the sight of the woman before them. "Well, well, some things never change, wouldn't you say so Bobble-head boy?"

Episode 3

Teacher from Hell

"Well Melee, I'd say it must have been a good twenty-five years since we last saw each other?" Koenma said mindfully.

"TWENTY-FIVE YEARS?!" Yusuke said shouting out loud. "She looks way too young for that. How old are you right now?" he asked her.

Melee grinned, "My eighteenth birthday was about a month ago." She nibbled a little more on her piece of fish on a stick.

Yusuke turned to Koenma, "See, it's impossible for you to have last talked to her twenty-five years ago!"

Koenma hit Yusuke on the head. "For a spirit detective, you're not too bright are you? Ask her how old she is overall."

Yusuke turned toward the woman, "So how old are you overall?"

Melee shook her head, "Don't you know it's rude to ask a woman her age."

Yusuke's eyebrows rose, "I'm leaving Pacifier breath!"

Melee started to laugh, as her nose twitched ever so lightly. "Your cute kid, you know that?"

Koenma smiled briefly, "Full name, Maleelanas Usaloomano, age eighteen. Age included with exactly two rebirths, one-thousand." The woman stood five foot eleven, and light, royal blue skin, with a lean and sharp somewhat muscular body. A white tank top stopped above her midriff, and she also had on a pair of dark blue shorts that came up to mid-thigh. Her dark blue glossy hair flashed in the glimpse of the sun.

Her current sparkling blue eyes, adjusted down to her black sandals, laced all the way up to her knees. "Just call me Melee. What can I do for you?" Melee said. She blew lightly on her gloved right hand. The sapphires upon it sparkled with the sunlight that broke over the far mountain.

Koenma's eyes twitched slightly. "You seem to be doing quite well for yourself, considering you've locked yourself up in this tiny area. No outside contact, since your affairs were put in order. I imagine it's been peaceful."

Melee's attention deterred from Koenma to Yusuke. "It seems as if your still trying to make up for you lack in size."

Yusuke clapped his hand over his mouth, but couldn't control his laughter. "HAhahaha, she's got you there!!"

"Argh!" Koenma shouted. "Well having been shut off from contact, are you still the high struck teacher you once were? Or maybe you're just another figure who has wasted away their once prominent history."

Melee cheerfully finished off her food. She nibbled lightly on the side of the stick. It hung on the outside of her mouth, pointing straight at Yusuke. "Still the same old nitpicking baby that can't handle anything on his but must have someone take care of it?"

Koenma's face turned a shade of dark red. "WHAT THE HECK DID YOU CALL ME??"

Melee smiled, "I see you still act with a stick up your butt! Ha!" Yusuke continued to laugh loudly, while Melee threw insults at the angry Koenma.

"Consider this, either get to the point or leave now!" Melee said walking a back into her hut.

"I need you to train Yusuke to become powerful enough to kill Vorea'sesaki!" Koenma shouted.

Melee stopped dead in her tracks, turned around by spinning her heel. She aimed her finger at Koenma's head, as it lit up with energy. "SPIRIT GUN!"

Megumi kicked her shoes in the air. "I've got mud and junk on my precious shoes!" she shouted.

Jorge frowned, "Why did Koenma make us wait for him?"

Megumi turned and stuck out her tongue, "It's because he's a cheap bastard!"

"Koenma better not hear you!!" Jorge said. Megumi shook her head as Jorge continued. "He's off visiting that teacher for Yusuke."

"I still don't see why we couldn't have come?" Megumi asked.

"Maybe he has something personal with her?" he said. "Nah!"

The quiet sipping of tea, was the only noise in the quiet, run down, shop. Vorea'sesaki lay on his back, staring at the rickety shop. Saiyuki walked in, staring at the strange place. "This is your idea of paradise?" Saiyuki asked.

Vorea'sesaki laughed, "Hahaha! You should know that the practical answer is there is no hell, there is no paradise, only the great beyond."

Saiyuki nodded, reaching inside his dark green suit. He pulled out a white slip of paper from inside his suit. He glanced up and down upon it, and focused back on Vorea'sesaki. "Almost all of our demons in the castle were killed. While the remaining numbers either fled or were captured."

"It seems that our big plan for revenge will have to be pushed back…"

"…TILL AFTER YUSUKE URAMESHI'S DEATH!" Vorea'sesaki said triumphantly. "After his death by my hands at the Dark Tournament, the demons will easily rally behind us."

"Any news on the boy?" Saruji spoke hesitantly from his seat.

Saiyuki turned to face Saruji. "Last our informants relayed, is that he has headed to a secluded location to seek out a new teacher."

Vorea'sesaki licked his lips, "Melee…" Vorea'sesaki stood up, "In two months the Dark Tournament will be here. Until then make sure the others are informed, alright?"

Saiyuki nodded, "But sir, I still don't understand why we don't just attack the spirit detective? You said yourself that you could have killed him when you had the chance. What is stopping us from initiating the attack?"

Vorea'seaki's hair began to rise in the air. Loki's old figure, with his cane, proceeded to approach Saiyuki. Loki's raspy voice made his words seem light hearted yet dark, "It seems you've learned nothing. Last year at the Dark Tournament, Toguro faced off versus Urameshi, and it seemed that when Toguro was at one hundred percent, Urameshi would most certainly die."

Loki positioned himself on a seat, setting his cane down along side him. "Toguro wanted to unlock Urameshi's true powers, however he didn't know how. With a little help from an old friend whom he killed, using a beast to telecommunicate, he found out how to unlock Urameshi's true hidden powers."

Vorea'sesaki slammed his fist through a table instantly. His eyes flared a dark red flame, "It is because of his awesome display that I wish to kill Urameshi! To be the best, to kill that Spirit Detective at his best! Until then I will not be satisfied with destroying the human world and taking over the spirit world!"

Saruji sipped his tea, "Judgmental, aren't you? Should he beat you?"

Vorea'sesaki blasted a hole in the wall to the side of Saruji. "I WON'T LOSE!"

"The rest is up to Yusuke," Koenma said walking with Megumi and Jorge. His entire head was burned along with his tattered clothes.

"Uh Koenma sir, what happened?" Jorge said staring at him.

"Your not much of a lady's man are you Koenma?" Megumi said.

"Should he survive the test, then he'll be hard training for the next two months," Koenma said.

"Uh, Koenma sir, don't you mean pass?" Jorge asked.

Koenma's eye rose, "No survive. All he has to do is hit her once, unless of course she kills him."

"UHHH!!" Megumi stuttered. "What happens if Yusuke dies?!"

Koenma shrugged, "Let's just try not to think about it. Now who's up for some squid?"

Melee tapped her foot on the ground, "Aren't you even going to walk forward?"

Yusuke took one step forward, but stopped as Poo flew past his head. Poo flapped its wings, until it reached Melee's shoulder, where it perched. "Poo…"

Melee smiled as she tickled its chin with her finger. She noticed Yusuke who had one step forward. "What the heck do you want?" she asked. "Oh yea, training, right. Now follow me, for the test, okay?"

Melee patted Poo on the head, while setting him down inside her hut. It was nothing out the ordinary, filled with elaborate paintings and decorations. Melee didn't look like the famous fighter that Koenma had described. 'Is this the same woman who won the Dark Tournament numerous times and the famous teacher?' Yusuke thought to himself.

Melee set out nibbles of food for Poo, who looked up at her. "Poo!" Poo said while lying backward.

Melee leaned in and kissed him on the head, "I'll be back in a while." She eyed Yusuke, "But don't be too sure for him."

"Come on; follow me if you want to be my student so eagerly." Melee walked with Yusuke out pass her garden and hut, until she reached a clear space with a tiny river flowing next to it. "Well then, I'm Melee, the infamous and illustrious figure who has long since made a mark on the spirit world's history."

Melee approached Yusuke, "Before I even consider teaching you, I want to know why I should teach you?"

Yusuke's fist clenched, "Because I'm going to beat Vorea'sesaki!"

Melee put her hands in the air, "We all got problems kid. Luckily for you, I don't care about them. Well I'll be seeing yah."

Melee began to walk away, until Yusuke stopped her. "Wait, I need to get stronger! Before the Dark Tournament, I need to get a great deal of strength, and in order for that to happen, I need a good trainer."

Melee shook her head. She pushed Yusuke down to the ground, "It's funny how you think I would anything to do with you. You don't know me, and I don't know you. With any luck, that status won't change."

Melee started to walk away until she stopped dead in her tracks. "Well since you're the acclaimed spirit detective, and I've got free time on my hands. Let's test you out."

"REALLY?!" Yusuke shouted.

Melee nodded, "Afraid so. You just have to hit me once, very simple isn't it?"

Yusuke swerved his neck back and forth lightly, "Sounds good to me."

Melee's straight posture changed to a slanted stance. She stuck her hands outward, waving them in Yusuke's direction. A surge of energy began to swarm around her body. Yusuke stared in awe at the massive amounts of energy, while she powered up. This innocent looking woman, who seemed so fragile, was turning out to be a very strong fighter.

Her precious face slanted down a bit. Her hair lay still even though the wind's cool breeze blew across her face. Her facial expression, once a simple smile, turned into a smug look of power. "Well DIMWIT, let's see if you can survive!" she shouted as her energy erupted into a massive explosion.

Kuwabara swung his spirit sword in Kurama's direction, but missed completely. "This isn't working!" Kuwabara shouted.

Kurama shook his head, "No it doesn't it look like it is. Perhaps we should step the training up, so that your life is on the line?"

Kuwabara's eyes lit up, "Just the way I like it. In order to get stronger, I'm going to need a lot of practice. Hey, where's Hiei?"

Kurama shrugged, "I don't know." Kurama's rose whip transformed back into the rose.

Hiei sat staring at the large sun in the far distance. His sword glistened from its upright position, having been driven into the ground. A pitter patter of footsteps sounded from alongside him, though Hiei never even flinched. A warm presence appeared next to him. The person was about to their hands around Hiei, as he shifted to the side, sword raised at their neck.

A beautiful short girl stood behind Hiei with a tipsy sort of smile. Her golden brown skin gleamed with the sun's dying rays. Her tight black pants and sleeveless belly shirt, rested along with her dark brown hair. She was five foot one, a little taller then Hiei, and her silver eyes sparkled with her sandals. "Oh it's you," Hiei said.

Her perked up tiger ears rose when Hiei spoke. "That's all you have to say?"

Hiei just sat there, continuing to stare at the sky. "It's nice to have a quiet moment alone, don't you think so?" she asked.

Hiei sighed, "Whatever you say Kayal…"

Kayal jumped in the air, "SEE!! You said it! You said my name!"

Hiei turned around angrily, "Why do you get excited at the smallest things?"

"Why don't you get excited at the smallest things?" she asked. Hiei shook off the question, "Thank you by the way." She leaned in toward his cheek. Hiei disappeared next to her, as she went face first into the ground.

"I was just going to thank you for saving me at the castle!!" she shouted.

"I don't need any thanks," he spoke solemnly. "Stay away from Vorea'sesaki!"

She turned around and blinked at his words. "Could it be that you're actually trying to protect me? That's the sweetest thing you've said to me since we've been meeting for the last few months."

Hiei's face turned a light pale of red when he looked at her. His facial expression changed quickly back to a scowl. He stood up, slipping his sword into his belt. Kayal scratched her head, "Wait a second, why is it any of your business what I do anyhow?! And anyways, it's not my fault."

She crossed her arms, with Hiei having his back to her. She let out a cool breath, calming down her voice. "It's not my fault, honestly. His goons kidnapped me and Jinn went looking for me. He and Touya are the only family I have left. I don't know how they found out I was a shinobi, but…"

Hiei stuck in hand in front of her. Jinn's loud wailing call sounded above them. Hiei walked up next to her, and looked at her in the eyes. Hiei's form disappeared in an instant as she dragged her tiger tail along the ground. "Don't worry! I'll keep myself safe! Thank you!!!" she shouted at the trees that moved lightly.

Jinn flew around her, while Touya jumped off him. Jinn landed with his pointy ears flipping back and forth. "Where Y' been missy?" Jinn asked with his Irish tongue.

Kayal jumped in Jinn's arms, and hopped up on his back. Touya frowned, "I don't even get a hug?"

Kayal smiled; "Of course!" she shouted grabbing on to his neck. Jinn took off, while Touya shouted from his position, at the end of Kayal's in the air hug.

"I'm hanging in mid-air!!" Touya cried out, while Kayal laughed with glee. 'I'll make sure no one harms you ever again,' he thought to himself.

Koenma stamped away at the masses of papers on his desk, while Megumi rushed past him with more work. "I don't know if I can last two months like this!" Koenma said. He set his stamp down, while Jorge rushed in with another stack of papers.

"Sir, you've been doing there for more then two months!" Jorge said hesitantly.

A giant red stamp went flying at Jorge's head. Megumi watched the big red mark on Jorge's increase in size. "Hahahaha!! You've been approved!" Megumi shouted.

Koenma scratched his chin, "Well now, let's hope Yusuke doesn't screw this up. Speaking of which, where's Botan?"

Megumi rushed over, and sat on Koenma's desk. "Well now, didn't you send her to see Yusuke's mom and Kuwabra's sister?"

Koenma slammed his fist down, "You right!" Megumi fell off the desk from Koenma's power. "What are you doing on the floor? You're supposed to be working, now get to it. If you're good, in two months we'll go to the Dark Tournament."

Megumi shrugged her shoulders, and ran out of the door. "As long as it gets me out of work."

"So that's it?" the group asked Botan.

Botan smiled, "That's it." Keiko drank a soft drink from a can, while Atsuko sipped her beer. "So it turned out that girl was a shiobi?"

"No, a shinobi. They're like a special breed of demons that specialize in powers of a certain type. Unfortunately not many are left."

Shizuru tapped her fingers impatiently on a table next to her. "So, right now Yusuke is hopefully off training with a teacher who's known for killing her few students, and in two months they have to go back to they wretched Dark Tournament?"

Botan nodded, "It looks like there's no way out of it. We're already signed up, but we shouldn't worry. Cause we'll be joining them!"

"What's my bro going to say about all this?"

"He's off training with Hiei and Kurama. Plus he's pumped up for it. He wants to show off how much he can improve," Botan reasoned.

"It seems wherever Yusuke goes, he seems to be getting into danger and fights. Why don't you ever stop him?" Keiko asked.

"Cause it's his job," a voice came from behind them. Botan's eyes lit up, as Garland's head was in the door way. "Hi there," he said.

Shizuru smiled, while Atsuko stared at him awkwardly. Botan rushed up to him, while he walked, without his shoes. Garland waved his hand lightly, "It's a pleasure to meet you, I'm Garland."

Keiko turned toward Botan, "This is the guy you were telling us about?" She walked up to him, "So you and Yusuke are friends?"

Garland smiled at Keiko, "I guess you call us that. Well now, you must Yusuke's stunning girlfriend." Keiko blushed, while he moved toward Shizuru. "Kuwabara's sister I assume."

Shizuru stared at him, "I'm Kazume's sister. So are you and Botan going out?"

Garland started to laugh, "Heh…. Well now, and the third must be Yusuke's resilient mother. How are you?"

Atsuko waved, "I'm good. Have you seen Yusuke lately?"

"I saw him as he went off to his training. But, I'm here to see Botan," he said.

Botan's face was lightly flushed, "meow?"

"Haha!" Keiko said patting Botan on the back.

"Go on Botan, say something!" Shizuru said.

Botan walked forward, "I'm uhh.. Good. What did you come to see me for?"

Garland looked on plainly, "Well I supposed you informed them of what's been happening. Unlucky for us, we've lost trace of Vorea'sesaki. However, I've got to discuss some things with you and Koenma, and I figured, we might travel there together. Sound alright with you?"

Botan smiled, as she grabbed her things. When she came back into the room, Garland was sitting down talking with the girls about pretty much anything. Botan joined them, as they continued for some time, until it was time for Botan and Garland to leave.

"Goodbye ladies!" Garland said. Botan waved goodbye as they headed out. "Let's say we take our time?" Garland said with a smile. "Hungry?"

"I could eat!" Botan said. "I hope Yusuke is alright."

Garland nudged Botan, "You shouldn't worry too much. Yusuke's got a lot of heart; he'll be able to take care of himself."

Melee shouted loudly, which sent an echo down the river alongside them. Yusuke charged Melee with his fist emitting energy. 'This should be easy; she's just a teenage girl, who probably can't fight as well as she claims. All I have to do is hit her!' Yusuke said to himself.

Yusuke charged and began to hit her with an array of fists. She matched them fist for fist, but seemed as if she wasn't even trying. Yusuke jumped backward staring at her. She looked untouched, though he thought he did her some damage. "Hahaha!" Melee shouted.

"What's so funny?" Yusuke asked charging her again.

"Besides the fact you fight with no heart and soul, you don't even realize what's happening with my fists!" Melee continued to punch in a wave like motion at Yusuke's barrage of fists.

Yusuke jumped backward and noticed his hands felt a little numb. "But I thought I hit you!" Yusuke cried out.

Melee shook her head, "Genkai's student, huh? You sure about that? You fight like a girl, and your fists can't even hit me. It's a mystery how you, a snot-nosed brat, was able to become Genkai's student."

Yusuke continued to charge her again, hitting with another stack of hand to hand combat. 'This doesn't make any sense; I thought I at least hit her fist with him.'

Her wave like motion of fists seemed to make direct contact with his, until he saw his flaw. Melee jumped lightly, stepping on Yusuke's arms. She pushed forward off her back foot, kicking the back of Yusuke's head with her front foot. With one last flip, she kicked Yusuke's back with her heel from her back foot. Yusuke ended up face down in the mud, while Melee stood with her arms crossed.

She began to walk away, "This isn't even worth my time. Bye moron!"

"What'd you call me?!" Yusuke said standing upward. He stared at his fists, "Your wave like motion with your fists, canceled out the impact of my punches. We never even touched fist to fist."

Melee turned around and narrowed her eyes. "Hmm.. You may be worth my time after all. Learn this; your fists are useless if you can't land a punch. Now then, where were we?" she asked. She crouched in a down position, with her foot pointing upward.

Yusuke aimed his spirit gun at Melee, "SPIRIT Gu……." Yusuke's words were cut off, by Melee's foot gong into his face. Yusuke flopped to the ground, while Melee straightened her position.

"Doesn't help if you can't fire it, right?" Melee said. She dusted off her sandal, and turned back toward Yusuke.

Yusuke smiled, "Now this could be fun!" Yusuke dove head first at her, while she jumped away. "SPIRIT GUN!" he shouted, catching Melee off guard. The giant energy blast was aimed directly at her, exploding upon impact. Yusuke's face sunk at the empty area in front of him.

'Where'd she go?' Yusuke wondered in his mind.

Yusuke turned around to catch Melee's finger aimed at him, "SPIRIT GUN!" The blast shook the area, sending Yusuke's body flying in the air.

"But how?" Yusuke murmured standing up on one leg.

"Simple enough when your opponent doesn't give an effort and you can use energy to block it." Melee adjusted her hair, and stared at Yusuke. "Now then, let's test your speed!" Melee jumped in the air, along with Yusuke.

Yusuke's rapid fists missed Melee's body by inches each time. She squirmed back and forth propelling herself higher in the air. Yusuke began to come back down to earth, when Melee landed below him. "HUH?" Yusuke said as Melee left her fist in the air.

Yusuke stepped on her fist, and landed safely on the ground. He pushed off the ground with his foot, and tried to sweep her legs. She jumped in the air quickly, but landed while Yusuke was still doing a leg sweep. She pushed all her pressure and weight on his legs, causing him to scream. "Is that all you've got?" she shouted.

Yusuke grabbed for her leg, missing her completely. She spun upside down in the air, landing with her elbow on his legs. Yusuke cried out again, while Melee stepped to the side. "I know all about your tactics and matches Yusuke Urameshi. You think everything in this world is given to you, just by lazing around? HUH?"

"NO!" Yusuke shouted struggling to stand. "I'm tired of people telling me I don't get a damn!"

"THEN GIVE A DAMN!" Melee shouted. She ran up to Yusuke punching him, while avoiding his quick jabs. She gave him a swift uppercut to Yusuke's jaw. She kicked him in the stomach while he lay still on the ground.

Yusuke grabbed a stone next to him, throwing it at Melee. She leaned to the side to avoid the stone completely. Her eyes widened to see Yusuke's foot going past her head. Yusuke kicked at her head, while she did the splits on the ground. Then, with the stone Yusuke at thrown at her, she chucked it up in the air. Sliding out of the way to avoid Yusuke's punch, she kicked off the ground into the air.

With a vicious kick to the rock in the air; the force sent the rock right at Yusuke's head. Yusuke leaned to the side, to mock Melee's skills, only to find himself caught by her arms. She was back to back with him, while twisting his right arm, with her left arm, and vice-versa for the other.

"Give off of me!" Yusuke said.

Melee smiled, "I bet this is the closest you've ever been to girl, haha!" Melee tossed Yusuke at the river in full force. He wiped his mouth of the blood that dripped down it slowly.

"I've had it with you!" he shouted. Yusuke aimed his finger at her. Melee did the same, both aiming at one another.

'There has to be someway to trick her,' Yusuke thought to himself. 'Maybe we should compare Spirit Gun blasts.' It was risky, but Yusuke was willing to try anything since he had taken a lot of damage.

"Fighting isn't a patient man's game," Melee said.

Yusuke's rage boiled up and came out with his spirit energy. "Spirit Gun!" he shouted. His energy shook the area, with the blast coming toward its target.

"SPIRIT GUN!" she shouted. The area shook even greater from her bright energy attack.

Yusuke's mind brightened up when he got an idea. 'I'll just shoot double the spirit gun, and take her blast on like that.'

"SPIRIT GUN DOUBLE!" he shouted in a last minute effort. The blinding light of the surging energy was everywhere. Yusuke jumped in the air, in hopes of avoiding the massive blast that was about to make contact.

When two erupting explosions sounded off, Yusuke opened his eyes. The image of Melee up in the air came as a horrible realization to Yusuke. Melee stared Yusuke in the eye, and aimed her finger at him. "SPIRIT GUN!" she shouted. The blast hit Yusuke's right shoulder, sending her veering off to the left. He landed hard on the ground, on his shoulder.

Melee stepped up to Yusuke, "Never assume!" Melee looked up into the sky, at the almost peaceful sunset. "I guess you're still alive," she said. "I'll give you once last chance, since you were Genkai's student, to walk away. Do you accept?"

"Not a chance in hell!" Yusuke said standing up, like a drunk, on one leg. "You're clever, you know that. You used your Spirit Gun to propel yourself upward, and then fired at me at point blank range. Sad part is you still missed, so you can't possibly win now. Hahaha…"

Melee breathed a sigh, "Okay cutie; show me your best."

Yusuke hid his fist behind his back while Melee stood in her quiet and calm position. "Well now, a shotgun blast only works if you can control the area of the opponent," Melee said.

Yusuke noticed a large tree behind where he had landed. Yusuke kicked the center, and attempted to lift it off the base. He cringed at the effort it took to lift the tree from the base. With the tree in his hand, he threw the tree dead on at Melee. "SHOTGUN!" Yusuke shouted propelling the tree forward, and hitting every spot on it and around it.

Yusuke clenched his fist in victory after it hit its target. His mouth was dry when he saw Melee's action. 'NO!' he thought to himself.

Melee had scaled the tree, and jumped from the tip of it. She missed the shotgun blast completely. Melee from above him charged up her fist. "You left yourself with nowhere to go moron! SHOTGUN!" she shouted.

Yusuke's vision had turned from Melee in front of the clouds, to a barrage of blue energy blasts all aimed at him. Yusuke's body began to surge with energy. 'This is my last chance,' he thought to himself. His entire body was weakening and all he left was enough for one attack.

Melee noticed his jump in the air. "Well one last attack, either live or die!" Melee soared toward him while propelling her feet. Yusuke's jump pushed through the energy blasts of the shotgun. He bit his lip from the pain and continued forward to meet her head on.

Their energy was radiating everywhere when they met. She soared at him fist first, while Yusuke did the same thing. They collided with an enormous composure of energy, bursting in every direction.

Melee sat by a small fire inside her hut. A small kettle rested over the open flame. A body lay motionless next to her, wrapped in a brown blanket. Melee sat cross legged, speaking quietly under her breath. Yusuke scratched his nose with his loose finger from underneath the blanket. His blurry vision met her fiery image.

"Is this hell?" Yusuke spoke softly from his raspy voice.

Melee looked down at him, "It will be for the next two months."

"I passed…" Yusuke said as he drifted off to sleep.

Melee fixed his blanket, "Hmm.. It's funny, such a powerful and strange boy." Melee glanced at her right elbow, which had actually taken Yusuke's last blow. A small scratch ran across it, but it was already covered by a bandage.

"Amazing how one idiot can emit so much energy? What do you think?" she asked Poo.

"Poo," came Poo's words. Melee stared at what appeared to a faint image of someone next to the blue beast, which had grown a little.

Melee rubbed her hands together, "It's been a long time Genkai. Odd how I never figured I'd be teaching another student, huh?" The images of Melee lugging Yusuke back to her hut filled her head. "If I hadn't heard that he had been your student, I wasn't even going to consider him as a student at all."

"DIMWIT…" came the faint cry from the image. The image of Genkai faded away with the cool night air, as Melee stood up to close the front door.

Melee stared at Yusuke, "Well idiot, it's going to be a long two months…"

Poo flapped until it reached Melee's arms. "…Poo!"

Narrator: Two months went by in a flash, as fighters from all around prepared and secret meetings were held. All this in preparation for the Dark Tournament…

Lea blew lightly on her glasses, and began to rub them on her shirt. A strange man, in a white coat followed her out of the huge meeting room. "Well now, the only new rule being that the finals are first to three, no limit on additional fighters to join, and the stadium should look nice," Lea said.

Kalinka tapped her on the shoulder, "I bet you just can't wait to see Garland again, huh?" Lea's eyes lit up, as the man in the white coat, walked out past them.

A man in a green general's outfit shook hands with Saiyuki. "General Shikimato, I expect this tournament will be grand under your control and payoffs, right?" Saiyuki said fixing his tie.

A strange woman behind a cloth stepped up and whispered something in his ear. He nodded, and bowed, walking out of the room with the woman. "Who is that?" Saiyuki questioned.

Saruji stared blatantly at the two as they walked out. "Tai, head of team TaiHaiTai. You won't have to worry about the fighting, that's well taken care of. Their deaths will be among the many. By the way, the plans have been set; it will take two months to even consider the attack."

Saiyuki cracked his neck, "No worries, though I don't understand how a bunch of humans and demons could do that much damage. We'll manage, until the Dark Tournament."

Koenma in his large form wiped his forehead. "Let's get out of here quick Jorge, this form is tiring."

Jorge pointed at an individual who was walking up to them. "Isn't he Shoji Tanaka? The head of the ministry of Finance in Japan? I didn't know we were having suck royalty here as owners."

Megumi pushed along Jorge, "I am never volunteering to collect and tally votes ever again. All those guys winked at me, ah!!"

Jorge scratched his head, "I thought you were the one who liked it. All you did was collect the votes and read off the results on the new ruling for the finals and number of fighters. How hard was.." He was cut off by Megumi stepping on his foot with her shoe.

Next to Shoji Tanaka, dressed in golf ware, was a man who besides the blue karate outfit, was dressed from head to toe in white. "Cloud, let us go now. We make business rangement a' later," he said the man.

An Italian mob boss smoked a cigar next to a prominent demon in a red cape. A woman in a joker mask stood next to a lofty young girl. "Faeli, you sure this tournaments gonna be any fun?" Sakura asked.

Faeli smiled, "Especially if we get to see Team Urameshi." Someone, that appeared to be a very young kid, sat alone in the corner of the room.

Chu kicked the wall, "Ya damn right I want an explanation! How come we ain't fighting in er first round? And why does it say Team Urameshi on this teams outline?"

Loki hovered from his aging spot behind Vorea'sesaki. "Simple… There is now nineteen teams in the tournament, three teams have byes in the first round… very simple… Team Urameshi is a late sign up..."

Chu clutched his fist, "Finally I'll get to show Urameshi how much I've improved!"

A man in a green leaved shirt, with a long pair of pants, with grass all down it rushed out of the room. "What is it Hoji?" Saiyuki asked.

Hoji's face turned red, "WHERE THE HELL IS TEAM ICHIROU?!"

Narrator: As Yusuke's training continued, as did the preparation of many other teams, the two months were coming to a close…

A huge demon swung his fist into the empty building. Next to him was four other spirited fighters, all dressed up in suits. The huge demon also wore a nice suit for the occasion. "WE MEETING NOT HERE!!" shouted the large one.

The woman next to him drank water. After she spit her water, she raced into the building with the other three, while the large one smashed more property. They reached the top floor, and rushed into the meeting room, "WE'RE HERE!!!" they shouted.

A large and foreign woman was vacuuming the room. "You want atta wat? Dah meeting end last week!" Everyone face faulted in awe, while a car went zooming past the window.

Well now, Melee said staring at Yusuke who was breathing heavily. They both sat cross legged upon spear, while Yusuke flipped the pole in his lap. They emitted spirit energy from their body, while Yusuke struggled to stay in his position. Melee turned her hand, palm up, and hit Yusuke along the head. Yusuke fell off his position, slicing a small notch out of his right leg.

"What was that for?!" he shouted.

Melee hit him again, "You idiot! If you don't give everything you've got in your training, your no better then anyone else. You will lose every fight, unless you put your heart and soul into it." Melee picked up a mop and bucket, "Start cleaning slacker!!"

Yusuke carried the bucket, and proceeded to walk out to do some mopping. "Some kind of training this is..."

"Poo," Poo said while Melee patted his head.

Narrator: At the end of the two months, it was time for the teams to gather and head off to the Dark Tournament. Among those that gather, Team Urameshi along with their friends, headed off to accept their destiny.

Yusuke stood directly in front of Melee. Their eyes never changed their focus, continuing to align at the other's eyes. "This world is not practical, no longer to live, no longer to die. You must realize Yusuke that you must fight with not only your senses and power, but also with your heart."

Yusuke waved to Melee as he began to walk away. "Stupid training…" he murmured.

"HA! You're stupid student!" she shouted. "Aren't you forgetting something dimwit?"

Yusuke's hair and ears perked up. "Oh yea!" Yusuke said rushing back. "Would you mind taking care of someone for me?"

Melee watched Yusuke hand her Poo, the blue beast. "I'll take care of Poo, while your off at the tournament."

Yusuke nodded, "Thank you."

Melee leaned in and kissed Yusuke on the cheek. She then back handed Yusuke on the head, sending him falling on his face. "Don't screw this up!" Melee carried Poo in, while Yusuke continued to walk on his way.

Melee whispered into Poo's ear, "As of today, that idiot has to be funniest student I've ever had. That lived… I wonder what his Keiko would say about him, if she knew how much he talked about her when he's unconscious or sleeping, haha!"

Melee turned and smiled, "HAhaha! Pacifier breath!"

A large white ship, with pasty stripes along the side, rested in the harbor. A bunch of business men strolled along the starboard part of the ship. Kuwabara, who appeared to have grown an inch, and wore a dark blue coat, stared at the massive machine in front of him. "What a beauty!" he said.

"What a hunk of junk!" Hiei said with a sneer. He wore a dark black wrap around, with a white sash across his neck. His sword hung from his waist.

"I don't know, doesn't it really matter Hiei? Just as long as we get to the tournament on time, right?" Kurama asked in white and red outfit that hung down his arms and legs.

"I wasn't talking about the boat."

Kuwabara's face turned dark red, "Hey shortie, don't make me try some of my new awesome moves on you!!"

Hiei slanted his stance, "Just try it!"

"Well.. uh.. Hiei, look it's Yukina and the girls!" Kurama said. Hiei's eyes shifted, while Kuwabara's fist and body went straight into the ground. Kuwabara got up and kicked at Hiei, missing him completely, but causing him to slip on the ground.

Kuwabara raced up with the others to see everyone. They did their greetings, while a number of other demons and fighters boarded the ship. "Yukina, my love!" Kuwabara shouted, racing toward her. Yukina smiled, while Kuwabara missed her with his hug, tripping, and almost going over the edge of the boat.

"Where are Yusuke and our fifth fighter?" Botan asked.

Kurama looked around, "Well I don't know, but it seems that the ship is about ready to leave. Maybe out fifth fighter will be his teacher, Melee?"

"That would be an odd coincidence, wouldn't it be?" Shizuru said.

Two darkened figures approached the ship. Yusuke's black hair was shorter, and he had grown an inch, not to mention, his face had changed a little. Yusuke walked up the loading dock, with the other figure, and stood at the top. Everyone turned to face him, but more importantly, another person's cry of joy sounded off. Keiko ran toward Yusuke, and hugged him with all her might.

A tear dripped down her eye, along with a sigh of relief to see him. "YUSUKE!" she shouted. Yusuke smiled, while everyone watched them hug. Keiko smiled and raised her hands above her head. With two hard thuds, she slapped Yusuke with both of them.

"HAhaha," Kuwabara laughed at the sight. Hiei's attention was poised at the other fighter, who stood alone.

Yusuke scratched his cheek, "OUCH! Keiko, what was that for?"

"That's for not calling me everyday! And skipping our date, you owe me!" she shouted.

Atsuko lugged Yusuke's bags, "Come on, I didn't come here just for the small talk. We came here to enjoy the time together, and for Yusuke and the bunch to kick some demon butt. But who is this girl?"

The girl was recognized immediately by everyone. "You're the girl from the castle!" Botan said. "Kayal, the lost shinobi girl."

Yusuke smiled, "I figured that we could use the help, so I got us a great fighter."

Hiei mouthed the word, "Why?" Kayal smiled, ignoring his words. She went on with her backpack, to join the others.

The night was soon to appear; everyone found themselves to be restless. Demons and others were patrolling around the ship, talking and thinking. Botan leaned against a rail, watching the night air, slowly begin to form. She breathed a cool sigh, as someone leaned up against her. Before she could dart back, she recognized the familiar face.

Garland smiled back at her, watching bird fly low near the water. "It's going to be a beautiful night, don't you think so?" he asked.
Botan followed Garland, who went back to a small bench along the front of the ship. He sat down next to her, while they watched the sunset fade away. He closed his eyes, and leaned his head down onto her shoulder. "So comfortable..." he muttered while he drifted off to sleep. Botan turned red lightly, but it soon faded away. She leaned against his head, with hers, and drifted off into a peaceful sleep.

Lea clutched her fist, "I'll kill her if she tries to steal away Garland from me!!"

Kalinka scratched her head, "This is going to be a long trip and tournament."

Hiei found himself next to Kayal, watching the stars from the ship's top area. "It's beautiful!" she said sitting next to him. Hiei just shrugged, watching the birds flutter past them both.

Yusuke, Keiko, and the others were all down below, playing cards and joking around. "So you cleaned her place up half the time for training?" Keiko asked. "Doesn't sound like training to me."

"It was odd training, but well worth it," Yusuke said. He reached over and grabbed a card from Kuwabara's hand. The picture had an ugly picture of a figure sticking its tongue out. "UGH!"

"Wanna hear another embarrassing story of Yusuke when he was young?" Atsuko laughed.

Outside, alongside the ship, were four figures who all laughed with crackling voices. They all spoke at once, while a man in a leave covered shirt stood up in front of the four. "We will kill them all!!"

Narrator: Yusuke and the bunch approach the Dark Tournament, but what secrets and mysterious opponents lie in their way? With the Dark Tournament less then 10 hours away, what is going through the five members of Team Urameshi's minds?

Preview: {Images: Four strange fighters wrecking the ship, Yusuke's flashbacks of him fighting with Melee and their training, Hoji dancing around, Kayal fighting off one of the fighters, a large stadium with fireworks, banners, and Koto in the middle of the ring, Vorea'sesaki talking to someone in a brown coat, Koenma riding on Megumi's shoulders, and a woman smoker and woman with a staff standing next to Garland, Kalinka, and Lea.}

Kalinka: Well the Dark Tournament's only miles away, but.. Who is this bunch of freaks? And why is that funny dressed man winking at me? It seems Team Leastinae can't wait till the Dark Tournament to attack, and all hell breaks loose on the ship. Plus Team Urameshi's fifth fighter, shows off some moves, that make even Hiei impressed, or so it seems. After managing all that, the tournament is here, and team arrives one by one, ready for the first round fights. LET THE TOURNAMENT BEGIN!