Chapter Three: Handicap

DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything except Tero the Co-Announcer.

Yusuke, Kuwabara, Hiei, Kurama, and Himeko stepped off the cramped barge that had carried them to Hanging Neck Island.
"So, where to next?" asked Kuwabara.
"The notice says to go to the stadium at 5 o'clock," Kurama said, peering at a sign. "There will be an introductory meeting, after which we head to the Suzume Hotel."
"Where's that?" Yusuke said, confused.
"It's nearby. Apparently, we're at the south of the island," Kurama explained, now looking at a map.
"Then let's get going," Hiei grunted. "We don't want to be late, and the oaf is sure to find some way to slow us down."
"Shut up shorty!"
Roughly a half-hour later, the Urameshi team arrived at the stadium. It looked about the same as it had the last time they were here. Nearby was Suzume Hotel. The large building towered over the humans, carved from dull red stone. A massive fire-bird sat above the door way.
"Suzaku, the red sparrow," Hiei muttered.
"I'm guessing this means there are four other hotels," Kurama said, frowning.
"But why?" Himeko pondered.
Yusuke and Kuwabara just stared for a moment.
"It could be that there's an ass-load of people," Yusuke said, pointing to the massive crowd.
After squeezing through the crowd, the group entered a massive lobby.
"Fighters or spectators," grunted a large demon at the front.
"Fighters. We're Team Urameshi," Yusuke announced.
A hush fell over the crowd. Angry and frightened murmurs could be heard.
"Head in through the left door and turn. Head straight until you reach the arena floor."
"Gotcha," Yusuke said, mock-saluting the guard.
As they walked, Kuwabara spoke up with the question plaguing their minds.
"Why's everyone so freaking nervous this year?"
"Perhaps they fear our reputation, and see us as a threat to the sanctity and glory of the games," Kurama guessed.
"Or there's something bigger going on," Yusuke grumbled. "Something Koenma didn't tell us about."
A spotlight illuminated the arena standing in the center. Various warriors surrounded Team Urameshi, some small, some large, some green, some blue, some flaming, some frozen. An infinite variety of fighters had shown up, providing the perfect challenge.
"Welcome to the Dark Tournament!" cheered one of the two people on the center stage. It was a cat demon, tawny and clad in garish clothes. Koto.
"I'm Koto, announcer for the Dark Tournament!"
"And I'm her new co-announcer, Tero!" roared another demon, a male tiger-like demon wearing a much more sensible outfit consisting mainly of black.
"Before this great tournament can begin, we have some new rules to discuss. As some of you, many, judging by your numbers, the five fighters per team rule has been eliminated. Teams are allowed to have as many or as few fighters as they wish, though teams that do not have at least 2 fighters to fight.
"Also, there are now four hotels to accommodate the large numbers. A notice was posted to show each ferry-load where to go. The four hotels are...Suzume, Tora, Ryu, and Kame.
"A fight ends when one fighter is dead, unconscious for more than a ten count, out of the ring for more than a ten count, or surrenders. Team leaders are allowed to decide the number of wins that decides the winner.
"In conclusion, this tournament shall be bigger, badder, and more action packed than any before! I hope you all have a great time!"

"So, we're first it appears," said Hiei, as the group returned to the stadium.
They had been informed of the approximate time of their fight and the opponent they would be facing: Team Midori. They were in the first round of the first bracket.
"I wonder what the deal is with Team Midori," Kuwabara thought aloud. "Midori means green...maybe they're all radioactive monsters!"
"More likely, they're just green-skinned demons," Kurama said as Hiei and Himeko snorted.
"Well, whoever they are, I say we pound 'em till they stop moving!" Yusuke yelled.
Yusuke charged into the lead as Team Urameshi entered the arena once more. This time, however, it was much less crowded.
"In the opening match of the Dark Tournament," Koto began. "We have Team Urameshi versus Team Midori!"
Team Midori was a diverse and very familiar group. Leading them was a hulking green man in purple shorts. Following him was a hunched little demon with a massive claw on one arm, a muscular man with orange hair (and green skin), what looked like a walking cactus wearing a sombrero, a man in coral armor with a three-pronged weapon for a hand, a green canine-like monster, a towering energy-being, and a massive reptilian creature.
"Eight of them," Kurama said. "Not good odds."
"My God..." Yusuke gasped.
"Could it be?" Kuwabara asked.
"I think it is..."
"HULK! BLANKA! AMINGO! GEN-AN!"
Yusuke and Kuwabara ran around the circular arena to where Team Midori stood. With rapture in their eyes, the two spirit detectives grabbed one of the previously named fighters.
"Mr. Blanka, it is truly an honor to meet someone of your caliber," Kuwabara said.
"I never thought I'd ever actually meet Shiranui Gen-An..." Yusuke gasped.
"Ahem, this is a fighting tournament," Tero growled. "Drool over your idols later, boys."
Yusuke and Kuwabara glared at Tero and returned to their own side.
"Moving on...will the Team Leaders from each side please discuss the terms of battle?"
Yusuke stepped up, as did the Hulk.
"Uh...Hulk...um, how about we fight till one team is gone?"
"Sure," said the Hulk. "It will make it easier for us to win," he added, with a smirk.
"First fighters please!" Koto called.
"I'm up!" Kuwabara bellowed, jumping into the ring. "So, do I get to fight Blanka? Amingo? Hulk?"
A loud, low belch was his reply. The reptile had entered, shaking the ground with every step. Golden bands surrounded its ankles, wrists, and neck. It peered down with beady white eyes.
"Who the hell are you?" Kuwabara sneered.
"GROX!!!!!!" bellowed the reptile.
"For Team Urameshi, we have Kuwabara Kazuma! And from Team Midori, it's Grox!"
"GO!"
Kuwabara easily dodged a right cross, glaring at the reptile in contempt.
"I. Didn't. Want. To. Fight. You!" Kuwabara exploded.
Grox plowed in, fists flailing. Kuwabara dodged each punch easily. As he yelled out, "you!" he let loose with a punch of his own, knocking Grox back. The reptile man stumbled, and lost his head to Kuwabara's Spirit Sword.
"Don't come between me and my heroes," Kuwabara grunted.
"Win for Team Urameshi!" Koto yelled.
"Me next, oaf," said Hiei, suddenly next to Kuwabara.
"Just don't get yourself killed, shrimpy," Kuwabara muttered.
"It'll take more than some green oaf to do that," Hiei spat back.
"Well then," said a crisp, harsh voice. "How about me?"
Hiei turned to lock eyes with the tall energy being. The fighter towered over Hiei, very tall and lean in build. Hiei's dark eyes met the other's pure white eyes.
"Next, we have Hiei against Exor! GO!"
In a split second, Hiei drew his katana and cut through Exor, splitting the energy man in two. The shorter demon spun around and fired a jet of flames, consuming Exor completely.
"...and Hiei wins?" Tero said, confused.
"Pathetic," Hiei snorted. "Absolutely pathetic."
"And thus, I enter," Yusuke said, smirking. "Step aside gentleman, I have a fight to win."
Yusuke's opponent was another hulking green beast, the vaguely canine-like one. Golden rings encircled its wrists, ankles, and neck. Its only other piece of clothing was a purple loincloth.
"Next up, Urameshi Yusuke against Gunter Bullce! GO!"
The monster clasped its hands together and bowed. In a low, rumbling growl, it said, "Best of luck, my young foe."
"Same to you, Gunter," Yusuke said, sliding into a fighting stance.
Gunter quickly charged, swinging out with one massive fist. It whistled by Yusuke's ear, and the beast's other arm swung up low, slamming into Yusuke's abs. Gunter followed up with a right cross to the face, and brought his other arm into Yusuke's chest.
The two combatants stood still for a moment, the sound of Gunter's punches echoing through the stadium. In the pure silence, one voice rang out.
"My turn."
Yusuke hopped high, spinning around with his leg out. The furious kick sent Gunter sprawling to the ground, the massive green beast skidding across the ground.
Swaying from the blow, Gunter staggered to his feet, shooting Yusuke a harsh glare. The Spirit Detective stood at the ready, unphased.
"How did you resist my attacks so easily?" growled Gunter.
"Your power wasn't in them," Yusuke said, shrugging. "You weren't prepared to kill, or even seriously harm me. You do not fight for fun or profit, thus, you do not see it fit to harm me, a human child."
"Perceptive," Gunter said. "I see you will take more than a little of my strength to defeat."
"Uh, guys, since when was Yusuke a psych major?" Kuwabara asked, stunned.
"That is a very good question," Kurama said, one sleek eyebrow raised.
Inhaling deeply, Gunter swung his head back. He rolled his neck around, swinging back down to face Yusuke again. The monster opened his mouth wide, and a cloud of green energy shot out at Yusuke (Gunter Breath.)
"Gah!"
Gracelessly, Yusuke dived to the side, the green energy scorching his jeans. He landed with a heavy thud on the ground, rolling to point his index finger at Gunter.
"Rei-Gan!"
The blue Reiki bullet rocketed at Gunter, striking the large beast in the shoulder. Gunter's body whipped back from the force, blood trailing from the wound.
"Yusuke barely scratched him!" Kuwabara laughed. "Urameshi's gone soft in his old age!"
"Baka," Hiei snarled. "Yusuke didn't want to kill the beast. Gunter has earned his respect, so Yusuke won't kill him."
"Uh...I knew that. I was just testing you," Kuwabara said, huffily.
"So, Gunter, you want to try again?"
"I have been proven the weaker," Gunter said, bowing his head. "No more blood need be spilled to end this quarrel. You have won, Urameshi Yusuke."
With that, the muscular creature marched out of the ring.
"And the winner by surrender, Urameshi Yusuke!"
An angry murmur ran through the crowd as Yusuke left the arena. Himeko took his place.
"So, we get to see what she can really do, eh?" Hiei smirked.
"Do not doubt her power, Hiei," Kurama said coolly.
"Now, we have Himeko against..."

Ooh, a cliffhanger. Next time, be prepared to see Himeko in action, Kurama's return to the battle front, and perhaps even more Hiei, Kuwabara, and Yusuke action. Things really start to heat up next time on Yu Yu Hakusho!