~*~So, they finally see the island. What do you think will happen? Read and find out.~*~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Taking a deep breath, Kurama and the others walked down the plank and onto Himura Island. It was indeed a beautiful island. It was a shame such evil dominated. Botan looked around for any signs that would tell them what they were to do next. "Look over there guys." They all looked at where she was pointing to find a wooden sign. On the top in bold letters were the words "Challengers from the Outside."

The gang went closer to read the actual words on it. "Welcome to Himura Island, the last land you will see before your death. There are a few rules which you must follow in order to qualify to fight in the semi-tournament. Immediately following the reviewing of these rules, you shall go about a half mile to your left. There is where you will be tested to see if you are indeed worthy of this challenge. You must be in a group of at least four in order to even try. If you pass the test, you will be shown to the village where you shall stay until your appointed match time. Usually this will be two weeks after the trial. Make good use of this time. After the two week period, you will battle other teams until the last surviving team stands. If that is your team, you may select your strongest man to fight against Himura Island's ruler himself. These fights will be one on one. The victory will be granted whatever they desire. Death is your only way home, unless you win. This is your last chance to leave while still alive."

Botan stepped back from reading the sign out loud. "Well, isn't that a nice welcome."

Yusuke began to walk in the direction the trial was to be. "Well, let's get started. The sooner we end this, the sooner we can go home." He turned to look at Kurama. "All of us."

Kurama smiled and nodded, heading off towards the trial as well. After walking for the half mile, they soon saw this small ring area. There were other fighters waiting for the test as well. As they reached the area, a man in an official looking outfit came out. "Now that everyone has finally arrived, the trial will now begin. All swordsmen please go to the black area, Spirit weapons in the blue area, martial artist in the white area and the rest go into the red area. There should be one team member in each area."

Hiei, without hesitation, moved toward the swordsmen area. Kurama spoke. "I guess I should go into the red area. Will you two both enter the blue or the white?"

Yusuke and Kuwabara looked at each other. "Well, what do you think?"

Kuwabara thought for a moment. "Well, I think I should go into the martial artist area. I am the number one fighter after all."

*Sweatdrop*

"Riiight. That's why I keep beating you up, right?"

"Shut up Urameshi! You're spirit gun is more powerful then my spirit swords anyway."

"Well, that's true. I'll go in the blue area then."

After deciding, they went to their respective areas and waited for more instructions.

"Alright, you have all received or will receive a number from one of the other officials right now." While he spoke, four people were walking through handing out numbers. "When I call out your number, the fight will begin. The winner of the fight will move on. The team with the most wins will advance. If there is a tie, then a battle will take place between one fighter from each team. We shall start with the swordsmen."

Kurama watched from his area. 'This is not only a trial, but a way for everyone to see the other teams. That way they will take in each person's strengths and weaknesses.'

After a few battles, Hiei was called to fight. Unsheathing his sword, he prepared himself for battle. 'This guy looks like an amateur. I should be done with this garbage rather quickly.' The signal was given and within a minute the fight was over. Hiei had wasted no time in slicing up the guy with eighteen different slashes.

"Alright, out of the swordsmen, the following will go on if their teammates can win as well. Matsu, Twilight Sazuka, Shishio, Hiei, and Lin. The next set of matches will be with the blue area, spirit weapons."

Hiei smirked. 'That was too simple. I can't understand why they let women into this though. They only really won because the other idiots were just staring at them. Pathetic.'

The area was cleared and then set for the next round of fighting. After two battles, Yusuke finally stepped up. "I'm going to make this rather quick, if you don't mind."

The opponent smirked. "Glad to see you aren't too confident. Bring it on."

The fight began and after a good five minutes, Yusuke used his spirit gun and hit the guy dead center. "Winner, Yusuke."

A few more battles went on until the final one was done. "The winners are as follows: Yusuke, Mizuki, Honda, Jin, and Atsumori. Next will be the white area, martial arts."

So far the teams were pretty matched. Kuwabara stepped forward and prepared himself to fight. The guy was about the same height and looked eager to get started. The fight began and after taking quite a few hits to the head, Kuwabara landed his last punch in the guy's face, causing him to fall to the ground. "Winner, Kuwabara." He smiled and went back to the area. "The winners are as follows: Ashia, Kuwabara, Yuka, Kye, and Touya. The final battles will be with the red area."

Hiei watched as the official began to pick who would go when. 'So far most of the teams are together. Kurama better win this. It's the only guarantee.'

Kurama was called to fight and looked at his smaller opponent. "You must understand I have no choice but to defeat you."

"You can try, girly. By the time I'm done with you, you'll lose that pretty hair of yours… along with your head."

Kurama sighed. "If you insist." He took out his rose and transformed it into a whip. The battle began and within seconds, Kurama had defeated the man. "That was not too challenging."

After waiting a few more minutes, the winners were declared. "The following will be advancing to the next round of fights that will take place in two weeks time. The team of Twilight Sazuka, Mizuki, Ashia, and Sango. The team of Yusuke, Hiei, Kuwabara, and Kurama. The team of Honda, Matsu, Yuka and Sachi. The team of Lin, Jin, Touya and Juri. And the team of Shishio, Atsumori, Kye, and Satsuki. You will be able to find rooms for yourselves in the village about one mile that way. The people are ordered to let you reside in their homes. Remember, use your time wisely and good luck to you all."

With that, the teams reformed and headed towards the village. Kuwabara was bragging about his fight when Hiei made some snit remark, causing a new verbal fight. Yusuke and Botan tried to break it up while Kurama went into yet another flashback.

~Flashback~

Kurama had woken up later that night to find a tray of food and some water near by as well as a note. It was from Sóra saying that she heard what had happened and was very thankful he was able to take good care of her. He smiled to himself and eyed the food on the tray. But his vision wasn't completely on the food. They shifted over to where Naomi was laying… or rather where she was supposed to be.

Kurama got up quickly and began looking around the house for the injured miko. When he was unable to find her, he thought about where she would possibly go. 'The hill…' Without thinking twice, he raced over to her favorite spot and let loose a sigh of relief when he spotted her there in her white robe. (A/N: if you've seen the second movie with the Netherworld demons and such, think of what Botan was wearing)

Slowly, he walked up to her. "You shouldn't be up and out already. Your wounds are severe."

Naomi looked up at him. "I know. But please join me?"

Sighing, Kurama sat beside her, looking at the forest separating them from the village. Part of him was mad for her just taking off, but another part was just glad she was alright.

"Thank you Kurama." He looked at her, but she had more to say. "You saved my life today. I had no idea there was more then one there. He must have concealed himself very well. I knew I would have died if that demon had attacked me. You came in just in time."

Kurama looked at her more closely. "I only regret not being able to assist you earlier. You should not have gotten so hurt. I was worried…"

She shook her head. "It's alright. I've had injuries before, but it seemed different today. I'm glad you were there to protect me. It was a very brave thing to do."

Lifting his hand to her face, Kurama turned Naomi so she was facing him. Their eyes locked. "I will always be there to protect you, Naomi."

Violet eyes crashed with emerald ones as emotions ran through them both. Kurama felt himself drawn to her, bringing himself closer and closer to her. Ever so slowly, he pressed his lips against hers. They were soft and warm, filling Kurama with a strange warmth inside him. To his surprise, he felt her kiss him back with an equal amount of emotion.

They stayed that way until they had to breathe, pulling away from each other. Kurama looked into her eyes to see acceptance and joy. Both of them were blushing while sitting there, unsure of what to do next.

"I apologize if I have offended you, Naomi."

"No. You didn't offend me. I…" She looked down and a red tint was added to her cheeks. "I enjoyed it."

Kurama's blush deepened as he pulled her head up. "As did I." He smiled at her, then picked her up bridal style again. She was shocked by this sudden move and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"What are you doing?"

"Getting you back into bed. Your wounds are not healed yet. I would be set at ease if I knew you were resting." His smile grew softer as he looked at her. Naomi looked so innocent and fragile to him at that moment in his arms.

She did not protest and let Kurama take her back to the shrine and into the futon. After pulling the blanket up to her chin, he then turned to leave, but felt a hand grab his arm. "Kurama?"

He turned his attention back to the miko. "What is it?"

"I… umm… well, what happens now?" Kurama looked at her and knew she was referring to the kiss.

"Right now, you get some sleep. We can talk about this in the morning." A nod was all he got from her as Naomi snuggled into her bed and closed her eyes to sleep. He smiled as she soon drifted into a deep sleep and stood up to leave the room. He made his way back to his own room and fell onto its comfortable mattress. Sighing, Kurama got up and changed, then crawled into bed himself. His hand went to his lips. They were still warm from the kiss.

His smile grew as he soon drifted off to sleep, a certain female on his mind.

~End of Flashback~

Kurama snapped out of his daydream when he noticed they were at the village. It was small, but quaint. The people looked as though nothing else in the world mattered, kind faces on each one of them.

The team walked down the hill and into the village. Botan began thinking out loud. "Okay, so we are supposed to stay at some kind of Inn or with a person in the village. I wonder who."

Looking across the crowd, Kurama's eyes went wide with shock as he took in a sharp breath. Yusuke noticed this and followed the demon's line of vision. There not even twenty feet in front of them was a beautiful woman with dark brown hair and intense violet eyes. She had a smile on her face as she conversed with a villager. Her attire was that of a miko.

He turned to the demon who was still in shock. "That's her, isn't it Kurama?" He knew it was her without Kurama having to tell him. 'She looks exactly like her picture.'

Kuwabara, being the idiot that he is, looked over as well. "Gah! That's your girlfriend, Kurama?? She's a totally hottie!"

*Sweatdrop*

Yusuke sent Kuwabara an evil glare and then looked at Kurama. "Well, what are you going to do about it? She's right there."

Kurama continued to stare, unsure of what to do. 'I have been looking for so long. Now what do I do?' Taking a deep breath, Kurama walked toward the girl slowly, not wanting to scare her off for some reason.

At this point, Hiei finally looked over to the girl. 'She seems like a regular human, despite her miko abilities. I'll just have to keep an eye on her.'

Botan was getting very excited for Kurama. "This is great! He finally found her."

"Shut up Botan. You want everyone to know?"

"Well, excuse me Yusuke!"

Meanwhile, Kurama had come up behind her. She must not have noticed him for she didn't turn around. Clearing his throat, Kurama collected all his courage and addressed her. "Naomi?"

"Un?" (A/N: kinda like "Yeah?") The girl turned to face him, blinking in a bit of surprise. Seeing her face entirely, Kurama knew it was her. His search was finally over. Standing right before him was the one that had consumed his thoughts and dreams since the day they met. Kurama didn't know if he could be any happier.

She continued to look at him in confusion. "I'm sorry. Do I know you?"

Kurama looked at her with disbelief. He could suddenly feel his whole world crashing down around him. He could see pure confusion in her eyes, knowing she was serious. 'She does not remember me.' He shook his head. "My apologizes. You look very much alike someone I knew."

The miko looked at him with some sadness in her eyes. "I'm sorry. You must be one of the new fighters. Did your team find a place to stay yet?" He could only shake his head, fearing his own voice. "Well, why don't you all come and stay at the shrine. There aren't that many rooms, but I think the Inn is all full by now."

Kurama nodded. "That would be wonderful. Thank you."

She smiled. "I didn't know fighters could be gentlemen as well. Interesting. Please, gather your team and follow me. I have to get back soon."

Nodding, he went back to the group who wasn't too far away, the miko staying where she was waiting for them. When he got to them, Yusuke was the first to speak. "Well, what did she say?"

Kurama couldn't look at him. "We have permission to stay at her shrine during the tournament."

Botan looked at him confused. "What did she say when she saw you?"

Hiei could see Kurama was upset, but knew why. He had used the Jagan to see what happened between the two. 'This will be interesting then.'

Yusuke watched his friend. "What happened, Kurama?"

Sighing, he answered them. "She does not remember me."

Everyone but Hiei was shocked with this news. "How could she not know you?"

"I do not know, Botan. But we better follow her. She is offering her home to us to use for our stay here. Let us go then." With that, he turned and headed back to where she stood waiting. The others all followed with sadness surrounding them.

Naomi stood there and smiled when they all came. "Hello. I am Naomi, the miko of the village. Please, follow me to the shrine. I'm sure you are quite tired after the trial immediately after a long boat ride." With that, she turned and headed towards a small forest area. The team all followed, one filled with more sadness then ever before. 'She does not remember me. What did you do, Natas?'

~*~GOMEN!!!! I'm so sorry for torturing my honey, but it had to be done for the sake of the story!!! Anywho, reviews are nice. What to give me some? Cool! Ja ne!~*~