"Both contestants are out of bounds! The count begins on each—now!" Koto stood in the middle of the ring, looking back and forth between the unconscious fighters.

"They each took clean hits! This might end in a draw!" Kurama observed, just as shocked as Koto.

"1! 2!" Koto stopped momentarily when she saw a hand reach up and grip the edge of the ring.

"Unh!" Rinku pulled himself over the edge and jumped up to the stadium.

"3! 4!"

"Yeah! Rinku's back up!"

"The Jolly Devil Six will win this one!"

"5!"

Rinku brought his hands up to his stomach and channeled his aura. "Didn't figure I'd have this much trouble. Gotta focus my aura on patching myself up."

"Uurgh!" Kuwabara struggled to get up, his face bleeding from his nose, mouth, and above his eye. He was covered in bruises and still had yo-yo strings hanging from his body. He glared at Rinku, set on continuing the match.

"Yipes!" Rinku reeled, surprised with his opponent's will. "The human's up, too! What's he made of?! Dang!" Rinku raised one hand and focused his aura.

"Huh?!" Kuwabara looked down when he felt movement and saw the detached yo-yos winding around his body. "What?! Dang-blang yo-yos!"

"8!" Koto continued her count. "9!"

Tangled in the strings, Kuwabara fell on his face outside the ring.

"10!"

"Who cares?! I can still fight!" Kuwabara yelled up at the kid in rage. Rinku trembled in place, keeping his distance from the human.

"He's quite the master, that one. Controls his yo-yos without being tied to them." Kurama complimented the boy's skills despite the outcome.

"Hmph… and by the rules, we lose." Hiei looked up at the scoreboard to see the updated score.

"At least we didn't lose a teammate. Looks like his opponent left him alive, Hiei." Sayomi walked over to Kuwabara to help him get untangled.

"How fortunate." Hiei muttered.

"First round to The Jolly Devil Six." The voice from the stadium speakers sounded bland compared to Koto's energetic commentary.

"Hey you!" As soon as he was free, Kuwabara jumped to his feet and pointed at Rinku. "We'll settle this later!"

"Not likely, dude," Rinku said nervously.

"Calm down, Kuwabara. I can't heal your wounds if you keep moving!" She glared at him until he made his way back to the team. Once settled, she started working on his injuries.

"I'll take the next one," Kurama volunteered.

The imp from the Jolly Devil Six stepped up to the ring and smirked. "Rinku's a sharp but honest fighter. Not me. I prefer the easy way."

"Next up!" Koto beckoned the next fighters to come forward.

"Kurama…" The red-head turned to see Hiei with a serious expression. "…Don't pull any punches out there. They gotta think twice about fighting us again."

"I know." Kurama smirked and turned back to his opponent.

Sayomi raised her eyebrow, curious about the exchange. Do they mean to kill their opponents? Not that I blame them, but Kurama doesn't exactly strike me as a heartless killer. He may be a thief, but then I don't really know Kurama that well. Has his time in the Human World softened him or is he still the infamous Youko? Then again, he didn't have a problem killing Genbu…

"Hey…" Kuwabara spoke up, looking down at Hiei with his arms crossed. "Somethin' I've been wonderin'… Where does Kurama keep his Rose Whip?"

"In a simple little rosebud," Hiei answered with a smirk. "In his hands, any plant's a weapon. He can turn a weed along the street into a razor-sharp blade stronger than steel."

"I just hope this guy isn't too tough. After losing the first round, we really can't afford anything less than a win." Sayomi glared at the imp. There was something about him that made her uncomfortable.

"Trust me." Hiei spoke, smirking up at the ring. "This match is already over."

"Kurama vs. Roto: Begin!"

Roto smirked at Kurama. "I hear you live with a human. Hard for me to figure. You got a 'family' thing goin' there?"

Kurama kept his expression neutral as he stared at Roto.

Roto crouched and lifted his right hand. His middle finger extended until it was a long, curved blade. Then, he dashed forward. "You'd be sad if this human died, eh?!"

"A weasel with a sickle…" Kurama noted to himself as he dodged.

"Shah!" Roto began to swing his weapon back and forth while Kurama jumped back, staying out of reach. Roto kept swinging until Kurama disappeared from his view, side-stepping from Roto's path.

"Waste of time, this. Kurama's way ahead. As for you, Kuwabara, luck was just against you." Hiei watched the match, bored with what was supposed to be a fight.

"I woulda taken 'im best out of three!" Kuwabara growled as he pointed his thumb at himself.

"Yeah…" Sayomi sighed, shaking her head. "It's a shame that's not an option in these matches. You underestimate your opponents too much, Kuawbara. You should work on that. There's always someone out there who's gonna be better."

"Hey! That's what training is for. If it weren't for that out of bounds crap, I would've won!" He defended himself angrily.

Back in the ring, Kurama had managed to get behind Roto. He raised his arm, preparing to deliver a chop to the back of Roto's head. "You're adequate, but little else. I'll end this quickly."

Roto smirked and spoke under his breath, just loud enough for Kurama to hear. "I own your mother's life… Shuichi Minamino."

Kurama hesitated and jumped back just in time to avoid a lethal injury from Roto's sickle. Instead, he received a fine cut along the curve of his left cheek. The scratch was just deep enough to bleed. Kurama kept his eyes neutral, masking his emotions from the imp.

"Why'd he slow down?!" Kuwabara yelled, confused with the turn of events.

Sayomi stared in disbelief at the red-head's retreat. He had him. What happened, Kurama?

"Heh heh… See this?" Roto chuckled and pulled a gadget from his coat pocket. It had a single red button that his thumb hovered over. "My familiars are stalking your mom and they'll devour her if I press this switch. Bein' such a devoted 'son,' you wouldn't like that. Heh heh heh…"

Kurama dropped his offensive stance, lowering his arms and facing Roto directly.

"Heh heh heh heh… I see…" Roto retracted his sickle, morphing it back into his finger. Then he delivered a direct punch to Kurama's face with a wide grin. "…You get my drift Kurama, you human lover you!"

While Roto was distracted, Kurama flicked a small object into Roto's face. Confused, Roto stopped to look at the item. "A little pebble? A modest show of defiance?" He glared and pointed at Kurama. "Well, forget it! No more, not even a pebble's worth! Clasp your hands behind you! You're my punching bag, got it? Got it, punk?!"

Kurama did as commanded, but he maintained his cold indifference to Roto's taunts.

"Ooh, scary." Roto's confidence began to waver despite his efforts. "Okay, fight me if you want, but you do and I'll push the button, I guarantee."

"What's wrong with him?! He's leaving himself completely open!" Kuwabara couldn't hear Roto over the crowd so he was unaware of Kurama's predicament.

"Yeah! Roto's hypnotized him!"

"Torture him, Roto! Tear him up!"

Sayomi clenched her fists, angry with the imp's manipulation. That damn cheater. Why do they have to go up against such cowardly foes?!

Calm yourself before you lose control. Kurama has a plan.

Sayomi slid a glance to Hiei who kept his eyes closed. He seemed to be focused on something else entirely. She noticed the faint glow from beneath his headband.

What do you see? She couldn't help her curiosity. She hated being left out of the loop.

Kurama's humanity is finally catching up with him. Hiei opened his eyes to watch the match, cutting off communication.

Sayomi frowned and turned back to watch the ring. She crossed her arms and glared at the imp.

Roto was smirking and standing right in front of Kurama, but he began to perspire under the red-head's gaze. "Heh… But you won't fight, will you? You're such a sweet li'l momma's boy. You might sever my left arm with your whip, but the fingers might flinch and… press! Heh heh heh heh… Right, punk?"

"Umph…" Roto delivered a full-powered kick to Kurama's stomach, yet the red-head held his ground and his defiant glare.

"Heh heh… I like it." Roto smiled and began to swing punches at Kurama's face. "This is what I call fun! Heh heh… Beating on a guy who can't fight back! Yeah!"

Sayomi growled low in her throat, her fists clenching under her arms. She could feel her anger growing, causing her aura to react. Then, a hand clasped down on her head and just applied the slightest pressure. She slowly relaxed her muscles and began to take deep, soothing breaths. Once she was calm, the weight lifted and she was left feeling relieved of the tension. She snuck a quick thankful glance at Hiei and turned back to the fight.

"Scum…" Roto had stopped his assault on Kurama, annoyed with his lack of response. He summoned his sickle and brought it up to Kurama's cut cheek. "That look in your eye… I don't like it. Look scared, punk… Got it?"

Roto pierced into Kurama's cheek, slowly dragging the tip upward to cross over the initial scratch. All the while, Kurama stared straight at Roto without a hint of fear.

"Stop lookin' at me like that!" Roto became unnerved and he slashed the rest of the way across his opponent's cheek.

Roto chuckled nervously and held up the device in his hand. "Now I'm in a real bad mood. You'd better do somethin' about it… or else."

Kurama said nothing as he glared at Roto, ignoring the bleeding cuts on his cheek.

Roto lifted one leg and rested his arm on the raised lap. He brandished his weapon with his other hand. "Bow down and lick my shoe. Once it's clean, I'll cut your head off. After that, maybe I won't press the button. That's my offer. Can you refuse? Course not. Your mommy's life's on the line. Heh heh heh…"

"I refuse."

Roto blinked. He stared at Kurama blankly and asked, "Come again?"

"Enough." Kurama unclasped his hands and brushed the dirt from his shoulder. He kept his cold mask in place. "Push the button."

"Heh heh heh… Heh heh heh heh heh… Did I hear right? Push the button?!" Roto laughed and pointed an accusing finger at Kurama. "You hypocrite, you're no different from us after all! This is all it takes for you to go demonic again!"

"Push it." Kurama's eyes challenged the imp, giving nothing away.

"Heh heh heh! Fine, I'll push it!" Roto laughed hysterically at Kurama's heartless request. "We're all bloodthirsty demons here, right?!

"Huck?!" As Roto moved to press the button, his body froze in place. "My hand… C-can't move…!"

"I'll repeat what I've said so often before…" Kurama walked up to the paralyzed imp and snatched the switch from his hand with a calm smile. "…That what seems the easy way out is usually the most dangerous. You tried coercion, so I countered it…" Kurama wiped at the blood with his right hand while his left supported his elbow. "…By planting a deadly vetch seed on you. The roots have spread through your body, immobilizing you…"

Roto managed to glance down at his open coat. He spotted a red wound on his chest that seemed to be sprouting a small bud. Realization lit his features when he was able to connect the dots. "That was when—!"

Sayomi watched in awe at Kurama's tactful execution. He used the pebble as a distraction!

"When I say a word, the plant will grow at an explosive rate. I enjoy facing lowlifes like you. It allows me to be as brutal as I want."

Sayomi felt a shiver go down her spine when she heard Kurama's tone. She hated to think just how brutal he could be when pushed. I suppose Hiei wouldn't team up with him otherwise.

"No!" Roto yelled in protest, begging for forgiveness. "Don't sink to my level! I like nice guys! I do! I was just kid….."

"Die." Kurama spoke quietly over his shoulder, his eyes devoid of any remorse.

"Geeyaagh!" Dozens of vines sprouted from Roto's body, killing him instantly. His corpse fell back on the stadium floor, flowers blooming from the blood-soaked stems.

"Ironic that the lowest knave's blood grows the loveliest flowers…" Kurama calmly made his way off the platform with a content smile.

Koto was the first to recover from the beautiful execution. "Kurama's come up with a win for the Urameshi Team! They're now tied!"

Kurama made his way back to his teammates. Sayomi smiled at him, grateful for his victory. "Good job, Kurama. You really had me worried there."

"As expected, the familiars took off once their master expired." Hiei opened his eyes and his Evil Eye's glow faded away from beneath the white cloth.

"So you noticed…" Kurama stepped down from the arena, ignoring the angry yells from the crowd.

"That idiot had no idea who he was dealing with." Hiei slipped his hands into his pockets, smirking in amusement.

"Fine. Don't tell me what happened." Sayomi muttered to herself, glaring at the pair. Jerks…

"Next contestants!" Koto announced into her mic.

Sayomi and her teammates turned to see the last person they expected to step up next. Zeru made his way to the center of the arena. His face gave nothing away, but his aura was so heavy it was obvious just how angry he really was.

"Zeru's up! He'll trash the guy!"

"Team Urameshi!" Koto beckoned to the team of fighters. "Your next contender, please!"

"I thought he was the team captain," Kurama said in confusion.

"Meaning those other two are tougher'n him?!" Kuwabara grimaced at the possibility.

"No…" Sayomi turned to see Hiei smirking up at Zeru. "He's definitely the power-house of that crew. Like most teams, they probably drew lots for fight order. I'll take him." Hiei removed his shawl and tossed it back for Sayomi to catch. "I want to get back at him for making fools of us yesterday."

Sayomi glared at Hiei and spoke out to him telepathically, dropping the fabric into one of her pockets. You better kick his ass. I don't like others sneaking up on me.

Hiei made his way up to the arena, his attention on Zeru. This won't take long. Just don't blink.

"Whoever opposes Zeru is toast!"

"He's unbeatable! An aura dynamo!"

Hiei ignored the crowd's cheers as he addressed Zeru. "I see you use flames…"

When Zeru expressed the slightest hint of surprise, Hiei smirked and said, "I checked that cup. It looked like it had been sliced up by a blade, but the edges were melted. You lack refinement."

Zeru looked down at Hiei, as if he were a bug. "What's it matter? I don't take criticism from a belly-crawlin', Evil-Eyed rodent."

"Begin!" Koto announced with a sweep of her arm.

Zeru immediately erupted into a firestorm of aura. Koto was pushed back by the flames while Hiei calmly stood his ground. Zeru played with the fire in his hands, showing off his control. "Yer cinders, man…"

"Whoo boy! That's a killer aura…!" Kuwabara raised his arms to shield his face from the worst of the fire.

Sayomi squinted her eyes against the blaze, refusing to give in to the heat. This looks bad. He's stronger than I thought…

"Impressed? You should be!" Zeru smirked and gathered fire into both of his hands. His aura continued to flare all over the arena. "A mouse like you could never in his whole life summon this much aura."

"Enough talk. Move." Hiei waited with a bored expression, unaffected by the heat.

Without delay, Zeru disappeared from view and reappeared in front of Hiei, his flaming hand piercing completely through Hiei's stomach. Then, he engulfed Hiei in fire before pulling his hand free and shooting a fireball with a straight punch to his burning body.

"Gulp!" Kuwabara swallowed and gawked at the ring nervously. "That was quick!"

Sayomi stared at Hiei's body as it landed on the stadium floor with a solid thud. The crowd's cheerful screams died to silence as they watched him burn. There's no way…

"Heh…" Zeru smirked, satisfied with his victory. "Hardly worth gettin' out of bed for that."

As Zeru turned to leave, he stopped in his tracks when he heard the voice behind him. "You're not bad. Pity I have to kill you. However…"

"Y-you withstood my demonic fire?" Zeru slowly turned around, a cold sweat sliding down the back of his neck. "That's not possible!"

"Heh—you now know otherwise." Hiei was standing in the flames, his wound cauterized by the concentrated heat. His traditional clothing had burned away, leaving him in his sleeveless black shirt and sweatpants. His headband had also perished in the fire, revealing his opened Evil Eye. He smirked, amused by Zeru's fear.

"Rejoice!" Hiei extinguished the flames, using his Evil Eye to release his own aura. "To you goes the honor of being the first in the Human World to fall to the Blazing Fist of the Overlord!"

"Blazing Fist of the Overlord!" Kurama exclaimed in shock. "A martial art forbidden in the Human World! It's meant only for the Demon Plane!"

"What?!" Sayomi reeled at the unforeseen development. She stared up at Hiei, her mouth slack and eyes wide in wonder. I've never seen him use this in training! Is it what he was working on in the mountains?!

Hiei held up a hand of black flames that began to snake around his body. "I admit, I haven't completely tamed it! But I will, in very short order!"

"B-black flames…!" Zeru's eyes opened wide in fear, unable to move or look away. "…Summoned from the Demon Plane! How?!"

Hiei smirked and clenched his fist, relishing in the power he wielded. "My right arm should be enough for this. I'm afraid my control is meager…" Hiei began to walk slowly towards Zeru, the demonic flames burning through his shirt and all around him. "See? This is real pyromancy… True evil that your match-play lacks! You scoffed at my Evil Eye… and that's something you'll regret!"

"Wait… You can't…!" Zeru was paralyzed with dread, trying to argue the use of the attack.

"Mreeow!" Koto turned to leave the ring, reporting along the way. "It's going over the top here! Even I, your commentator, have decided to take cover!"

"Here it comes!" Hiei warned Zeru then thrusted out his flaming arm. "Black Dragon Hell Fire!"

Black flames shot out from Hiei's extended arm and morphed into the shape of a large dragon. The beast coiled as it flew straight towards Zeru. The dragon consumed Zeru and plowed into the stadium wall, extinguishing on impact.

Koto waited for the flames to die out before she peeked over the edge of the ring. Hiei stood at the center with his arm stretched forward. The smoke from the fires were still clearing from the ring.

"It was over in a flash." Kurama commented quietly. Kuwabara stood near the red-head nervously.

"I'm glad I didn't blink…" Sayomi muttered under her breath. Her fists were clenched by her side, her body tense from ignoring her instinct to run. She slid a glance to Yusuke, still sleeping against the ring. Dead to the world alright…

"Oh my… the wall…" Koto drew everyone's attention to the wall across the ring. There was a black scorch mark in the shape of Zeru. Smoke was still rising from the permanent shadow on the barricade.

"God… Not good." The two remaining fighters of the Jolly Devil Six stared at the mark nervously.

"I incinerated his Human World aspect. Start the count." Hiei glanced at Koto, his arm burned and smoking from the attack.

"Oh!" Koto jumped back in a crouch and stuttered, "I… I think we'll just skip that. Whew!" She stood up straight and raised her hand. "The… The winner—Hiei!"

"See that, ya punks?!" Kuwabara shouted, raising a triumphant fist. "Even gypped in the first round, we're up 2 to 1!" His expression became grim when a thought occurred to him. "Not that it's a heckuva lotta comfort. What Hiei just did… What he can do… If he decided to turn on us now… Ulp…"

Hiei walked by with his hands in his pockets and stopped in front of Kuwabara. He slid the human a cold glance before smirking and said, "Calm down. Once I pick a side, I stick with it. My Blazing Fist of the Overlord still needs work, anyway."

Sayomi smirked and shook her head. Her muscles relaxed and she unclenched her fists. They were a little slick with sweat and blood, but she just felt relief that he had survived. "I hope you don't make it a habit to play dead. I was about to jump into the ring to beat him myself."

"Heh." Hiei shifted his focus to her as he made his way down from the ring. "If you went up against him, you would've died with his first attack."

"Maybe, maybe not. I guess we'll never know, huh?" She raised an eyebrow and made her way to him. "Now let me see your arm. Looks like you could use my help for once."

Hiei rolled his eyes and ignored her offer, keeping his hands where they were. She glared at him and reached for his arm. He didn't move away but he wouldn't let her move it either. She lightly probed it, her expression grim. She noticed how tense he was when she touched him. He's in pain. It still feels hot, and his skin is scorched. I don't know if I'll be able to heal this, but at least I can ease some of his pain…

"Zeru, zapped…" The dark-skinned fighter from the Jolly Devil Six was still trying to recover from the attack.

"J-just like that…" His spectacled teammate was just as shaken.

"That's enough for us. We want out!" The muscled fighter declared to Rinku, retreating to the exit.

"We came to kill for fun… an' fun this ain't!" The lean fighter agreed, following his teammate.

Before they could get very far, the two fighters were decapitated. Their bodies fell to the ground as a new fighter jumped into the ring on the balls of his feet. He threw the heads over the side of the ring, hiccupping as he glanced around with a lazy gaze.

He was a tall man with a blue Mohawk and blue eyes. His hair was long in the back and it was tied with red rope that ended with two tails. He had scruffy sideburns that merged with his mustache and matching eyebrows. A single green line bridged across his nose and under his eyes. He wore a sleeveless black top with fur lining the collar. His tight green pants were tucked into metal knee guards and fur leg warmers that covered his shins. At his waist was a thin belt with small vials attached to one side.

"Fun's best when it's spiked wit' danger." He slurred with a strong Australian accent. "These yeller swine-dogs spoiled m' buzz."

"Chu!" Rinku cheered with a broad smile.

Chu turned to Koto and said, "Hey girlie, we got two deaths b' 'accident.' What's the rules say 'bout that?"

Koto trembled as she answered him automatically. "Each team gets one alternate… That's it. Circumstances don't matter. Y-you'll have to go on with whomever you have left! And no forfeits allowed!"

Chu walked by, emitting a foul aroma. He scratched his stubble thoughtfully. "Hmm… That's fine. So it's me agains' their last two, huh? Innerestin'…"

"This guy creeps me out bad!" Kuwabara muttered to the group. "His aura's not much, but there's something…"

"Urrf…" Sayomi and the others turned to see Yusuke lifting his head, awake from his slumber. He groggily got to his feet and began to pick his ear with his pinky. "Whoo! Who's been boozin'? That stench would raise the dead and kill 'em all over again!"

Sayomi sighed in relief and couldn't help laughing at him. "Really, Yusuke? After all the chaos, the alcohol is what wakes you up?!"

"Hey, you finally woke up!" Chu exclaimed with his hands on his hips. "All nice an' rested? Y'better hope so!"

Sayomi looked up at Chu suspiciously. He was too casual about killing his own team. You better watch yourself, Yusuke.

"Sub-captains forwa—" Koto was cut off by Chu's impatience.

"C'mon! Let's go!" He crossed his arms and looked down at the boy. "I wanna win it quick, then get down t' sum serious drinkin'!"

"A man with a plan, eh? Leave 'im to me." Yusuke smirked and began to pop his knuckles. "I could use some light exercise after that nap."

Chu smirked back at Yusuke with a glint in his eye. "'Light'…?"