Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho or Inuyasha or any of their characters. I do, however, own any OCs created and the story written.

Chapter 2: Pitch Black

"Why haven't you asked her yet?" Sesshomaru walked over and tweaked the silver ears on the demon next to him, "You do want to mate her, yes?"

"More than anything."

"What's holding you back?" The Western Lord smirked, "You don't have the same aversion to humans that I do, so I don't see the problem."

"I am concerned about what the mating mark would do to her Miko powers."

"I don't think it will hurt her powers, just expand her life."

"I wish I could be sure of that."

"It's not just the loss of her Miko powers that you're worried about, is it?"

"She from the future. How can I ask her and keep her from her family?"

"Maybe that's a choice that she needs to make. It wouldn't be right for you to not let her make it. Humans are funny that way. Especially her."

"I think Rin has made you more compassionate."

"Let's not spread that around, shall we."

"Did you bring it?"

"Told you I would." Sesshomaru held up a small silk pouch and handed it over, "You need to trust her to make the decision. Don't give that to her if you're not going to mark her. It's not fair to either of you."

Reaching into the bag, the Lord's companion pulled out a circle of pure silver filigree. No gem. Not yet. He was going to save that for the wedding band he got her. "I'm going to ask her tonight. If she says yes, I'm going to see if I can travel to the future with her and meet her family. And hope she doesn't get talked into staying."

"She won't."

They looked around as the Soul Collector's flew through the air, making Sesshomaru roll his eyes in annoyance, "That woman needs to die."

His companion agreed, "And give Kagome the rest of her soul back." He looked over at his childhood friend, "Hey, Sessh, how about you start working with us to take Naraku down, once and for all?"

"Wouldn't give that idiot brother of mine the satisfaction." The Inu Lord smiled, genuinely, "I'll just trail you at a respectable enough distance so Inuyasha doesn't sense me, but let Kagome know so she doesn't panic."

"Softy."

"She's growing on me." He paused for a moment, "Remember the Blood Rite we did as children? By the lake?"

"The Rite that made us Blood Brothers for life?"

"Yes."

"I remember."

"That makes you family. My brother. Just as much as Inuyasha is."

"As much as you hate to admit that."

"True. However, your name was added into our family's Book."

"I had forgotten about that, actually."

"When Kagome says yes, and she will, her name will be added to the Book beside yours after the mating. Reassure her that, if we demons survive in her time, her family will always have the protection of the Western Lands. No demons will harm them."

"Well, that's good to know. Thanks."

"You'll be taking her to the hut by the lake."

"It is our spot. It's where we met."

"Want me to leave A-Un to graze for extra protection? You're going to be distracted for awhile, so it might come in handy."

"I appreciate that. What with Naraku sending scouts out in every possible direction."

"Take care of her, Fox. I've grown attached to the Miko."

"I may a be thief, Sesshomaru, but I protect what's mine."

"She's been yours from the moment you laid eyes on her, Yoko."

The Fox Demon looked over and smiled, "It was instantaneous. There was no turning back for me at that moment. She is everything. My everything. And I can't wait for us to start our next adventure together. Away from shard hunting and Naraku. And, believe it or not, a life away from thieving. As long as I'm with her. Always."

1-2-3-4-5

Kagome walked beside Yusuke as they filed up the stair to one of the temple doors. Genkai turned around and glared at the group, "From here on you can forget about sympathy. The final test will be a tournament between the eight of you until one is left standing. You'll fight until your opponent is dead or incapacitated. I don't care which."

"Extreme much." Kagome muttered, processing the information.

"I don't have the patience for coddling, girl." She opened the door to allow everyone to file into the large room, "Come on now, walk." As the doors closed behind them, they realized that there was no light.

"Hey!" Kuwabara exclaimed, "What's wrong with the light? I don't like that, lady!"

"Yeah, grandma. What, you expect us to fight in the dark?"

"Yusuke, your mouth is going to get you into a lot of trouble one of these days."

A single lantern was lit next to them, hanging by a pillar. Genkai calmly blew out smoke from a cigarette that she had lit, "Yes, you little crap, that's exactly what I expect. You must use your Spirit Awareness to see. Use weapons if you've got them. Hit 'em where you like, anything goes. The winner is the one who can walk back alive."

"Sounds like a typical Saturday-morning street fight, huh, Kuwabara?"

"I'm not sure, Urameshi. I've got a bad hunch about this. Like some of that scary stuff from the forest has followed us here somehow. You know?" He paused, "Like some beast has been stalking me all this way but he's too afraid to attack me."

"Well, that proves it then. After all those tests, Rando must still be after Genkai's technique." Yusuke mused, missing the look on his cousin's face.

"Who's Rando?" Kuwabara asked, "Is he the beast?"

"Something like that." He smirked, "I don't have time to explain now. Just tell me, is that hunch coming from one of those guys?" He looked at the rest of the competitors.

"Hard to say. I think the feeling is hidden really good. It's just hanging in the air and I can't tell where it's coming from. Sorta like a…"

"Sorta like a fart in a crammed elevator?"

"Well yeah, I guess so."

"It's definitely in here." Kagome whispered, getting their attention, rolling her eyes at her cousin's analogy, "I can feel it. I've been chased by some of the worst of the worst. Trust your instincts, Kuwabara. You know what you're feeling and I feel it too."

"Now, before we start, you all need to introduce yourselves." Genkai said, puffing on her cigarette, "And speak up."

"Names Musashi." A guy with an eye patch and traditional gear stepped forward, "I'm a fourth-degree black belt under Kendo of the Shibattou School. I hunt down evil beings and destroy them."

"What do you consider evil?" Kagome asked, curious. "Someone doing evil deeds or someone you believe is doing evil deeds?"

"Magical jewel or not, you do not belong here." He growled, "Go back to your mommy where you can be coddled, little girl."

"Watch it." She whispered, "I've purified creatures a lot more terrifying than you."

A short bald guy, maybe in his twenties, cleared his throat and stepped forward to divert the attention back to introductions, "I am Shorin, a psychic-in-training. I have traveled the world in search of the perfect instructor.

A green haired big mouth from the forest was next, "People call me Kibano. I am a master in every style of martial arts and I live to test my own limits."

"Impossible." Kagome smirked, "There's too many forms of martial arts in the world for a human with a limited lifespan to be a master of them all. Nice try."

He glared at her just as a rounder guy with a thin, curling mustache stepped up next, "Chinpoh the Wanderer. Nice to meet you all."

"I am Kazemaru of the Ninjas. Bodyguard of government officials. I've been trained in the Ninjitzu art of stealth." Says another bald guy with an offensive symbol on his head.

A man in glasses was the last of the strangers, "My name is Kuroda. Contract killer."

"Kazuma Kuwabara, the worst punk of Sarayashki High."

"Yusuke Urameshi. The much, much worser punk of Sarayashki High."

"Did no one teach the two of you how to speak properly?" Kagome asked, sighing.

Eight arrow fell from the ceiling and stuck to the ground, "Now everyone pick up the arrow you think is pretty. That will determine the order."

After the arrows were looked at, the match ups were clear.

First round matches were Shorin vs Chinpoh, Kuwabara vs Musashi, Yusuke vs Kibano and Kazemaru vs Kuroda.

1-2-3-4-5

"No stalling you two. Step up to the plate!"Genkai demanded, looking at Kuroda and Kazemaru.

As they walked past, Kuroda was twirling a knives around, showing off, "Let's make this clear." He turned to the Master, "In my line of work I was taught not to quit until they're dead. And fighting a trained bodyguard, I can't help but feel it's professional."

"If you are asking about killing I already gave you my answer. Feel free to use any force necessary to defeat your opponent and insure your victory." Genkai said.

Kuroda said,"Yes, you said that twice, but will you hold it against me if I turn out to be a cold blooded killer."

"Young man, I am a psychic, not a saint. I will train whoever is strongest, regardless of any moral shortcomings." Genkai said. Kagome cut her eyes at the older woman.

Kuroda said,"I'm very relieved to hear that. Now I can fight without holding back."

"Heh. Talking is only a means of delay. Are you ready to fight yet?"Kazemaru said as he crossed his arms and smiled.

Kuroda whirled on Kazemaru. "Of course!" They both started walking out into the darkness, smirking in confidence, "Risking my life is the nature of my profession."

"Mine as well."

"Good. Then I won't feel so bad when I carve out your heart."

Kagome squinted into the darkness until her Reiki allowed her to see clearer. Reading the auras around the contestant, she could understand why Genkai didn't care if they killed each other. They're all covered in blackness. Every single one of them.

"You may start!"Genkai yelled.

Kibano said, "This is pointless, we can't see a thing."

"Says you." Kagome grumbled. As she sat down by the lantern to watch, she completely missed the looked that Genkai shot over at her.

"Yeah, well it's not exactly a spectators sport." Yusuke said.

Kuwabara said, "The hit man is pushing back the bodyguard."

"Are you telling me you can see in there?"Yusuke asked.

Kuwabara said,"Yeah, kind of."

"That's some Spirit Awareness, Kuwabara. Have you always been able to do it?"

The red head smiled sheepishly at the young Miko, "My whole life, unfortunately. But, here lately, it's gotten so bad, I can't even have a normal day anymore."

"Tell me about it."

Kagome focused turned back to the fight. Kuroda had Kazemaru dodging left and right. Kuroda had cut up his opponent's ninja uniform, revealing armor underneath it. Kazemaru was backed up against the wall and Kuroda lunged forward make the finishing strike. Kazemaru, desperate, put his palm towards Kuroda and a bright blue light hit hit man! It sent him back and it killed him.

Kazemaru walked, more like limped towards us. "Winner, Kazemaru."Genkai said.

Kazemaru sat down in front of the pole to everyone's right. He said,"I was trying not to use that technique so soon."

"What a strange power."Kibano said.

Musashi said,"I've seen it once before, it's a mass of spirit energy."

"Better trained fighters," Kagome chuckled, "and demons, can harness their 'spirit energy' or 'ki' into different fighting attacks. It's all in how you train it."

"Hey is that you?"Yusuke said, before running out.

"What?" Kagome got up and run with Kuwabara to follow. They come out to see Yusuke talking to a blue haired girl at the end of the temple.

"Urameshi! You can't chicken out on me!" Kagome rolled her eyes at the exclamation, already exhausted over their rivalry, "Huh? Oh, you're just talking to this hot girl." He grabbed Yusuke by the collar and shook him, "Damn you punk! Keiko's supposed to be your girlfriend!"

"Honestly." Kagome sighed, "Must you jump to conclusions all the time?"

"Calm down, Kuwabara! This is Botan."

"Nice to meet you, Kuwabara." The girl said, making a long oar appear in her hand, "Actually, I've seen you several times and I've been quite impressed by your actions." Yusuke seemed unphased by his friend sitting on the oar and floating in mid-air.

"Hey!" The red head exclaimed, "She's floating in the air!"

"Boys. Always stating the obvious."

"Urameshi? Is she a… well, you… yeah, I think she's a witch."

"Don't be such a dope, Kuwabara. Botan's not a witch. She's the Grim Reaper, and she's my assistant as Spirit Detective."

"Detective?"

"Yeah." The boys finally pulled away from each other, "You were telling me you got a pretty bad feeling from one of those guys in there, right? Well, as you saw earlier with Kagome," he gestured to his cousin, who just smiled, "demons are real. Right now, there's a really bad one hiding inside that building. So my job is to figure out which one he is and keep him from getting Genkai's power."

"Gee, that sounds tough." The taller boy grumbled, "But the important thing is that you're not cheating on Keiko with this new girl."

Kagome threw up her hands, "That's the important thing?" She shared a look with her cousin, rolling her eyes as he approached Botan.

He looked changed from fierce to loving, "Uh, why are you staring at me like that?"

"Beautiful lady… will you be my wife?" He crooned, missing the cigarette that floated onto his shoulder, "I'm a strong and fearless man and I'll be good to you." Finally feeling the heat, he looked down to see the smoke coming up and freaked out.

Genkai said,"Are you boys happy with disqualification? If so, stay where you are."

Yusuke, Kuwabara, and Botan ran inside the temple shouting excuses. "So, he's Koenma's boy. I didn't know I was attracting celebrities." She paused on her way in to study Kagome, who had lagged outside with her, "There's something different about you. Aside from the Jewel that is. I just can't figure it out."

"When you do, could you let me know. I love hearing loose theories." They chuckled before walking back inside.

1-2-3-4-5

It was now, Shorin's and Chinpo's turn to fight. They walked into the dark without a word. "You may begin! Fight well!"

Kagome didn't even watch this time. She saw back against the pillar, listening to the punches being thrown. She opened her eyes when Shorin walked out of the darkness.

"Winner, Shorin!" Kagome squinted. Something felt off.

"I just barely escaped." Shorin said.

Genkai said, "On to the third match! Kuwabara versus Musashi." They stared each other down before walking into the darkness.

"Try not to get killed Kuwabara!" Yusuke yelled.

Kuwabara looked over his shoulder and said,"Don't worry, I have to beat you before I die."

"Really?" Kagome asked, looking at her cousin, "That's what's pushing him? That he has to beat you before he dies?"

"Pretty much." Yusuke shrugged, "He's always started all of our fights. Always trying to prove who's better. Determined to win, at least once."

"Don't you think he's a bit mismatched?" Botan asked, looking concerned.

"Well, he's never been as tough as me," He stated, "but he does have a lot of determination. I just hope that's enough to win."We all heard a chirp come from Botan's jacket and turned to look at her."What was that?"

Kagome turned to face the darkness, zeroing in on the fighter's conversation.

"I'll give you one last chance to walk away, kid. After that, I'll have to consider you an obstacle in my path and I won't hesitate to cut you down."

"I'm not going anywhere, old man. I may be a kid, but I've been fighting on the streets my whole life. Plus, I've got powers. In fact, I can see you right… huh?" He looked around, "Wait a minute. At least I saw you. Before."

Kuwabara looked around, nervous all of the sudden. He flew back and fell to the ground. Musashi had hit him with his sword from behind. "What happened?" Kuwabara started to sit up, but the image of Musashi disappeared, "It's a trick." He stood up and ran forward, but he stopped and kept looking around.

"Where are you?"

"I know all about your spirit awareness kid. But I too have a power. I can mask my own energy."

"So I can't see you."Kuwabara said.

"But I can see him." Kagome whispered, focusing.

"And unlike you," Musashi's voice sounded, "I'm used to fighting in the dark." Kuwabara turned around only for Musashi to punch him in the face! Musashi slowly started disappearing as Kuwabara slid across the ground.

Kuwabara stood back up and ran out at him, yelling, "You!"

Musashi disappeared! He reappeared above him and kicked Kuwabara in the face, sending him sliding across the ground. Kuwabara kept falling for the same trick over and over and over again.

"Be careful Kuwabara!"Botan yelled.

"Stop yelling so much, it makes you easier to find!" Yusuke yelled, frustrated.

Kuwabara yelled back at them, "Will you guys shut up! I'm trying to concentrate and your not really helping." Kuwabara wiped his mouth then turned to look at Musashi.

"There isn't any use. In the dark I can strike you a hundred times and you'll never be able to block." Musashi mocked.

"Beat me up all you want old man, your sissy little punches don't hurt me at all." Kuwabara taunted, spitting out blood, "It's just chump change compared to all the days Urameshi runs my head into the concrete."

"It's true, I've punched him quite a few times." Kagome rolled her eyes in amusement at her cousins remark, "What? He asked for it."

"Then you leave me no choice." Musashi retorted back, drawing out a wooden sword.

"A big stick?"Kuwabara asked.

"Now is no time to play the fool, kid. This is a wooden sword, carved from an ancient tree and cleansed in a sacred stream." He lifted the sword with both hands, sending his energy through it, "It's a conduit for spirit energy, perfect for striking down evil!" He jumped and disappeared.

"Hey! I'm not evil!"Kuwabara said.

"Ahh, Shibattou Shining Sword!" Musashi yelled as he appeared above Kuwabara. He struck out, making a green slash as it made contact with Kuwabara. He kept slashing our like a maniac. When he finally stopped, Kuwabara fell to the ground and looked like he had gotten into a fight with a cat and lost. A piece of Musashi's sword had broken off and landed next to Kuwabara. "Huh? He actually broke the sword." Musashi looked shocked and impressed, "His Spirit Power must truly be strong." He turned away to walk back to the group, but stopped when Kuwabara picked up the broken sword piece.

"You haven't gotten rid of me yet."

"Atta boy." Kagome smiled, getting into the match.

"What kind of evil creature are you? No one has ever survived my shining sword attack. Oh well, I'm confident you won't live through a second strike." Musashi smirked as he fadded back into the dark. Kuwabara stared at the broken piece in his hand and gritted his teeth in determination. Musashi appeared above him and was about to hit him, but something stopped him.

Kagome watched in fascination as Kuwabara's spirit energy shot out of the broken piece of sword and made it into an orange electric like sword. "What is that?!" Musashi asked.

Kuwabara shouted, "I-I don't know!"

"What are you?" Musashi asked.

"Materialization." Genkai smiled in realization.

"What the hell's that?"Yusuke asked.

"Normally, Spirit Energy cycles through the body and is very hard to control. But when his life was endangered, he instinctively used his high Spirit Awareness to manipulate his energy into a solid object. In this case, into a sword."

"But isn't Materialization creating something out of nothing?" Kagome inquired, still watching the fight, "I mean, he's using the piece of the sword that broke off, which means he's initializing a Spiritual Projection or Infusion." She kept staring into the dark, not seeing the old woman quirking a brow in her direction, "I guess it helps the the sword piece was already cleanse in Sacred Waters, but still."

Musashi's sword started to slowly crack and Kuwabara's sword got stronger, eventually breaking. He drew back and slashed Musashi across the stomach, sending him flying back. He broke apart the floor and made a big slide mark.

Breathing heavily, Kuwabara lift the piece of wood to inspect his sword, "Pretty cool. But how am I supposed to turn it off?"

"Not bad." Kagome smirked as he walked back to them, "Not bad at all. Gonna take a lot of practice to learn how to control that thing."

"Great. More work." He grumbled, sitting on the spot next to her that she gestured to, "No poking, okay? I'm really beat here."

"Winner, Kuwabara!" Genkai announced, smiling slightly.

"I guess Kuwabara won't be so easy to beat from now on, huh?"Botan said. Yusuke grinned sheepishly.

"Well at least he's still ugly."

"You better not lose before our fight." Kuwabara said, slumping against the pillar.

Yusuke scoffed, "Please, like I'd miss a chance to beat you up."

Genkai lit another cigarette, "Let's not waste my time. The fourth match is Kibano versus dimwit."

Kuwabara just laughed, "Huh, I think that's you."

"And I thought my name was Yusuke."

1-2-3-4-5

Both competitors walked forward and stopped beside Genkai.

"May the strongest man win." Kibano walking ahead, but turned back when Yusuke stopped where he was, eyes closed.

"What are you waiting for Urameshi?" Kuwabara asked.

"Have you decided not to fight?" The bully from earlier snarked.

"Oh, no, I was just praying for your mortal soul."

"Yusuke stop clowning around." Botan yelled as Kagome snickered.

Genkai didn't think it was funny as she threw her cigarette at him, "Moron!"

"Hey!" Yusuke yelled, as the cigarette barely passed him.

"Any more delay and I'll take it as a forfeit."

"Geez, something tells me your still mad about that grandma comment." Yusuke said, shrugging off his jacket off, "You really need to enjoy life more, old lady." Then he and Kibano walked into the darkness. "Yup. It's dark, all right. But at least the other guy is in the same boat."

"You're wrong about that." The older man taunted, "I can see exactly where you are."

"Give me a break! Your Awareness isn't any better then mine. Only weirdos like Kuwabara can see in the dark." Yusuke said and took a step backwards.

"I heard that, Yusuke!" Kagome yelled, "Don't make me purify your sorry butt."

"Sorry!" He turned back to his opponent, "My cousin, too."

"You stepped backwards."

"Fine. Good guess."

"Kuwabara?" Kagome asked, "Are you seeing what I'm seeing?"

He clenched up, tense, "Yeah, I do. Hey!" He called, directing his voice to Yusuke, "Watch out for him! He's got some sort of mask on his head!"

"My own invention, it blinds all the sensory organs. All the brain power normally concentrated on sight, smell and sound are redirected to sense a person's spirit. I've even installed a targeting device to direct my senses to a single point." His hand and arm started to glow red, "Now let's see. Yes, you have a very unusual aura. As if your body has been through great danger. Perfect, that'll make you easier to find." Kibano shot forward and punched Yusuke across the face. The Spirit Detective sat up and glared at his opponent. "See, it's very useful." He disappeared and reappeared in front of Yusuke again, kicking him in the face, sending him sliding across the ground.

Yusuke got back up and turned around just as Kibano run toward him. He used his hand to push himself in the air, causing Kibano to miss him and hit the floor instead.

"Okay, I heard that!" Yusuke grabbed a piece of the floor that broke off and threw it, but it missed. Kibano jumped up and flipped away as Yusuke rushed forward to punch him. "Hey, did I hit you!"

"Sorry." Kibano said.

Yusuke ran towards the sound of his voice, "I've got you!" He shouted as he punched Kibano in the face.

"Yeah!" Kuwabara shouted.

"Don't celebrate just yet." Genkai warned as Yusuke punched Kibano one more time, then doubled-kicked him in the face. As Kibano was falling back, he laughed.

"What?" Yusuke yelled.

Kibano kicked Yusuke back, sending him flying back against one of the beams of the building. When he fell to the ground, he struggled, but was able to get up.

"You found me by my voice, no doubt. But your hearing will never be accurate enough to give you a decisive blow." Kagome frowned at his cockiness.

"This punk's not playing fair!" Kuwabara exclaimed, "That helmet is protecting him from attacks!"

"Even the best kind of armor should have a weak point." Botan reasoned, "But I'm scared Yusuke's going to have a tough time finding it. He can't even see his own hand in front of his face."

"Here's another technique." Kibano said, flexing his muscles. Straining, he lifted his arm up and bent it at a ninety degree angle with his fist straight up. Green Spirit Energy started to surround him, gathering into his fist and making his muscles bigger.

"Uh-oh." Kuwabara said, "Something weird is happening to Kibano's muscles."

"I see it, too." Kagome squinted, "It's something common for demons to do in order to make themselves stronger. I've never seen a human do it."

"Doing what?" Botan said.

"It's a basic enhancement technique." Genkai explained, watching, "He's pulling in Energy from the matter around him. It gives a quick boost of strength."

Yusuke looked around in the darkness, tense,"Darn it, where is he?"

The pattering of feet was heard as Kibano ran straight at him. "I'm right here!" Kibano shouted, pulling his arm out, "Big Arm Bomber!" He slammed his arm straight into Yusuke's chest, sending the teen flying across the room.

"Yusuke!" Kagome shouted, standing up with the rest of the shocked group.

He tensed as tried to slowly struggled up, but he fell back down.

To be continued…