Disclaimer: I don't own Yu Yu Hakusho

"And with this match ending in a draw," Koto's voice broke into the silence, "the teams stay at a 2-to-1 score, Urameshi leading…but because a team needs at least three successful completions to win the Dark Tournament…there is no winner to this year's Dark Tournament."

Pandemonium ensued.

Chapter II: The Alternates

"WHAT!" Kuwabara's voice cut through those of the disgruntled fans. "What do you mean, there's no winner! Look at the scoreboard! We've got two wins, and they've only got one – and while I may not be that good at math, I still know that means we've done better then they have!"

Shizuru didn't know what was more surprising, Kazuma being alive or Kazuma shouting at the referee as if he hadn't just survived a near-death experience. Glancing over at Botan and Keiko, both of whom were floored with the shock, she decided it was the former. "That's my baby brother. Just doesn't know how to do the accepted thing…" She took a deep drag on her cigarette, trying to dispel her raging emotions.

Botan seemed to have snapped out of her shock. "He's, he's alive. But how?"

Shizuru laughed. "Damned if I know how that brain of his works, honey. But look, I think he's going to rant again…" Botan threw a scandalized look at the other girl, but seemed to understand that this was Shizuru's way of coping with the shock. Looking back into the ring, Botan saw that Kuwabara had walked over to the unconscious Yusuke, and was going to rant again.

"URAMESHI! Damn it, wake up!" He started slapping the other boy's face. "Do you have any idea what you've done! Damn it; get up so I can pummel your face in!"

"Mmmm…you try that, monkey boy…oooh! Hello Keiko, want some purple monkey bananas?"

"Hey, pay attention! I'm not done with you!" A crafty smile appeared on the red-heads face. "Urameshi - Keiko's on fire!"

"WHAT? Where? Keiko, Keiko! Don't worry, I'm coming!" Yusuke shot up, suddenly wide awake, eyes wild.

Even though the situation was so desperate, Kurama couldn't help rolling his eyes at the scene. "Well, now we all know where his true motivation lies…"

"Hn. That doesn't matter, because I'm going to kill him now." Hiei suited action to word and sprang up onto the remains of the arena. "Urameshi, against my better judgment, I trusted you to win. Seeing as you didn't, you're going to die now."

With a sudden gesture, Hiei's blade was at Yusuke's throat, only to be stopped by Kuwabara's own spirit sword. "No you don't! I've got to beat him into a pulp, first."

Kurama hurried forward, trying to prevent Hiei and Kuwabara from killing either Yusuke or each other. "Now, I really think we have more pressing matters to attend to…"

"Kuwabara? You're…alive?" It was this question, spoken so hesitantly, that finally enabled both would-be spirit detective destroyers to regain control over themselves.

"What the…of course I'm alive! No slimy bad guy could kill me! (Especially when I have to look good for my beloved Yukina…)"

"Hn. You're too stupid for me to waste my time killing you."

"Hey, what's that supposed to mean! Oh, don't you turn your back on me, you little shrimp!"

"This is impressive. You've actually become more annoying than Kuwabara."

"Oh I'm gonna…"

"Please, please!" Kurama stepped between Yusuke and Hiei. "We need to focus. The Tournament, remember? Although you defeated Toguro, Yusuke, because you didn't stay standing for the final 10 seconds, your match was declared null and void. No winner has been declared…"

"We still haven't won? But how? The score-"

"ARGH! WE'VE BEEN OVER THIS!" Koto's snarling voice broke through over the loudspeaker.

"Okay, okay, jeez…"

Sakyo grimaced. As much as he had been enjoying the other team's antics, it was high time to resolve the issue at hand. He had been watching the other team's owner for some time now. Koenma seemed strangely subdued compared to even Kurama's suppressed emotions.

"Now Juri," Sakyo spoke in conciliatory tones, "surely there's some way to properly rectify the situation? What does the rulebook say about undetermined winners and alternates?"

"Oh, right…" Sheepishly the girl in question began to flip through the large rule book that had suddenly appeared, supported by her tail. "Ummm, let me see…unresolved due to dual deaths…unresolved due to single death…unresolved due to incapacitation…unresolved due to previous arrangements…ahah! Unresolved; to be determined by alternates! Well, it says here that should the Tournament still be unresolved after all of the original fighters still capable of doing so have competed once, then the final, winner-takes-all battle must be determined by a clash between alternates. All previous wins or transactions that could have affected the outcome are declared null and void. So, Sakyo and Lord Koenma…have to fight?"

Sakyo nodded, more to himself than to Juri's perceived question. So, it seems fate would leave my work in my own hands. Good, good. Maybe I can still succeed after all. A slow, viscous smile curved about his lips.

Koenma had been in a daze since the Koto's first unexpected call, but Juri's final one had been a rude awakening.

"What the…you mean we have to leave everything up to him!" said Yusuke, pointing rudely at Koenma. "But I defeat Toguro! That's got to count for something, right?"

"I'm afraid it doesn't. The rulebook states-"

"Yeah, yeah, I heard what the damn thing says. My God," Yusuke said, turning back to the rest of his team, "I can't believe this."

"Yeah, what can we do? I mean, Koenma even said that if he had to fight he would forfeit…" Kuwabara.

"I'm afraid that there's nothing we can do."

"Hmph, I wouldn't be so sure of that" said Hiei, jumping back to Koenma, the rest of team Urameshi quickly following. "I'm going to make this simple," Hiei had drawn his sword again and was pointing it at Koenma, "you are going to fight, and you are going to win, if you don't want to die here and now."

"Now Hiei, I really don't think that's the proper approach…"

"No, I like it! We've come too far to lose now just because the toddler is a complete wimp."

Koenma seemed strangely nervous. "Nnn, Yusuke, have you forgotten: 'I bruise easily. I don't fight?' I can't fight him!"

The rest of team Urameshi was taken aback; Koenma's final words had actually sounded desperate. Kuwabara snorted in disgust. "I never knew you were such a coward."

Koenma stiffened, but said nothing; there was no way to respond to such a statement. Unfortunately, Hiei took Koenma's silence as confirmation of Kuwabara's accusation. Disgust flashed across his features as he swiftly sheathed his sword and turned away. "Hn. I don't obey cowards. You! Announcer! I will fight anyone you wish instead of this coward."

"But, but the rules say-" Hiei gripped his sword. "Ah! Well, I mean-"

"Juri," Koto broke in, "you can't go changing the rules! The rules are sacred! (Fire burned in her eyes) "If you wish to continue to compete, your alternate must be the next contestant."

Hiei made as if to show Koto just what he thought of her beloved rules, but was stopped by Yusuke's restraining hand. "We got through this entire tournament without cheating; we won't start now. Besides, she wouldn't like it." It was a tense moment before Hiei nodded, backing down. "And as for you," he snarled, whirling on Koenma, "you will fight – for her. I don't care whether we win anymore; but you are not going to taint her memory by refusing to fight when you are her replacement. You won't have to worry about Sakyo if you do; you'll be dead first."

Koenma closed his eyes; Yusuke was deadly serious. "You were not the first person to care about Genkai, Yusuke. But I don't think that you truly understand the situation. I can not fight."

Kurama interrupted before Yusuke could say anything rash. Ever the mediator, he said, "While that may be so, we all owe it to Genkai to see this through to the end. Come what may, it must be finished. And now, that responsibility falls to you. I am not Hiei or Kuwabara," he added, watching the Reikai prince intently, "I do not believe that you are totally without honor."

Koenma's fist clenched unconsciously and his mouth worked viscously at his pacifier. They still do not understand…

"As much as I would like to wait all day, some of us do have pressing matters to attend to." Sakyo's arrogant drawl broke through his thoughts. "Will you forfeit or fight? I don't have all day."

Closing his eyes tightly, Koenma nodded once, sharply, and took a step towards the ring.

"Good, good." Sakyo walked forward as well, taking off his suit coat, and rolling up his shirt sleeves. So, it seems I am to decide my own fate after all.

Genkai, Yusuke, Kuwabara, Kurama, Hiei – I do this for you. Koenma turned to watch Sakyo – he appeared even stronger and more fit than before. Sakyo flexed his muscles reflectively, and Koenma suddenly realized that Sakyo would show no mercy; his opponent would enjoy the prospect of humiliating and destroying the demigod. Oh, Lord help me. How can I even survive when I am forbidden to fight back?

"And let the final match BEGIN!"