Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho, it's characters, or anything affiliated with it. I use the characters and locations for my own personal enjoyment and yours. I own Hanako Urameshi. I do use Wikia for information on locations and characters that I may need later. Rating is for language, violence, drug references, and intimacy scenes in future chapters. Please Review! Good and bad are accepted, as I value the opinions of my readers.

Chapter 6

Hanako was shaking.

She had just witnessed two extraordinary fights. Kurama versus Karasu, and Hiei versus Bui. Kurama managed to transform into Youko, but Karasu ended up winning, although Kurama killed him. Hiei spared Bui's life, and won the match by consuming the Darkness technique. Hiei and Bui destroyed the ring, and so the finals were taking a short intermission until the new ring arrived.

"Hey." Kuwabara startled her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Hiei will be out for a while. Why don't you come get some fresh air?"

Hanako glanced at Hiei; he was still out cold and asleep on the table. Kurama was reading a book next to him and Yusuke was against the wall, staring blankly. After the way she reacted to Hiei's fight with Bui, it was no secret to anyone that she had feelings for the 3 eyed Demon; thankfully for his sake, she didn't reveal he had feelings for her as well. Her brown eyes looked at Kuwabara and nodded. "Yeah...Fresh air..." She followed the orange haired teen outside and into the open.

"Listen." Kuwabara started. "I don't care what you or that shoulder monkey Toguro says, but I am fighting next." He was clear and left no room for argument.

Hanako looked at him with shocked, sad eyes. She felt so relieved yet cowardly. "Kuwabara..."

"It's okay. You're like a little sister to me too." He turned and smiled at her. "I can sense how scared you are, and no one blames you. This is literally life or death, and I have a lot more fighting experience than you do. If it really comes down to it, then you can fight Sakyo."

"He'll force me to fight, Kuwabara." Hanako spoke quietly.

"Don't worry about him. I'll take care of it." Kuwabara smirked confidently.

"My brother put you up to this, didn't he...?" Hanako glared, hurt that Yusuke would go back on his word after he had agreed to let her fight.

"Damn right I did." Yusuke's voice sounded behind her. Hanako turned and looked at his sad features. "I can't lose you too..." He whispered, only loud enough for her to hear.

"What if we can't control the situation?" Hanako started. "Hear me out. What if he pulls some tournament committee mojo? Toguro made it clear his brother wanted me."

"I didn't think about that..." Kuwabara mumbled.

The ground began to shake violently and caught the three off guard. "What the hell is that!?" Yusuke stressed.

"It's Toguro! He's carrying the ring on his back!" Kuwabara fell down, staring at the display.

"Anyone care if I puke on myself..." Yusuke stared in horror.

"Nope. Go right ahead..." Hanako paled.

Hiei shot up from his sleeping position and looked around frantically. "How long have I been asleep?!" His eyes met Kurama's.

"You've been hibernating for a little over 6 hours." Kurama smiled and put his book down.

"6 hours!? Well who won the tournament!?" Hiei glared before panic showed on his face.

"Calm down, Hanako is alright." Kurama knew immediately why Hiei seemed distressed. "They had to bring in a new ring considering you and Bui destroyed the previous one. Toguro just carried the new one here on his back so we should be continuing shortly." Kurama remained calm.

"Where is she?" Hiei asked quietly, ignoring the rest of Kurama's statement.

"She stepped outside with Kuwabara. I believe Yusuke followed them as well." Kurama answered.

"She's going to fight, isn't she." Hiei knew it wasn't a question he was asking. He was saying out loud what he feared the most.

"Unless Kuwabara convinced her otherwise, I am afraid so."

"Damn it!" Hiei punched the table with his bandaged hand. "I should have never gone to see her before the tournament. She followed those babbling idiots here because her curiosity about me got the best of her. "

"Would you rather have remained a dream to her?" Kurama mused. "What if she only knew you as a dream, and fell in love with someone else. Could you have let her go?"

Hiei glared. "Of course not."

"Where the heck is Genkai anyway?" Kuwabara's voice echoed in the hallway. "I say she fights a brother and let Hanako off the hook. We're drawing short straws here!"

"Give it a break, Kuwabara. She's not coming back." Yusuke's voice was soft and melancholy.

"Look, let's just rock paper scissors this and get it over with Kuwabara." Hanako's voice sounded angry, and anxious.

"No way! Kuwabara is fighting Toguro and that's that!" Yusuke demanded.

"Open your eyes! Kuwabara doesn't want to fight him!" Hanako snapped.

Hiei leaped off the table and Kurama followed him into the hallway. "It's best if you let Kuwabara fight." Hiei interrupted. He received shocked looks from Yusuke and Kuwabara, while Hanako glared.

"Fine. Have it your way." Her voice seethed with anger.

"Attention everyone! The next round is due to begin in 30 minutes. Please make your way back to the stadium in an orderly fashion!" Koto's voice echoed on the loud-speaker.

Hanako made her way to the front of the group and walked in silence, glaring the whole way.

Hiei glared the back of her head and followed her. 'Stop being a baby. This is for your own good, Kuwabara is much stronger than you.'

'Go to Hell.' Her voice caught him off guard. 'This has been the roughest week of my life. I found out you're a big liar, not to mention REAL. I trained with Genkai and stood by and watched her die. I trained my ass off, and for what? For you and everyone else to stand there and call me weak. I have stood by and watched your fights; seen several times where you, Kurama, Kuwabara and even Yusuke have almost died. I have heard the way Team Toguro speaks of this team. They think we're a bunch of toys; meant purely for their enjoyment. If Toguro singles me out and challenges me, I am stepping into that ring.'

'That's ludicrous!' Hiei growled, clenching his fists. 'You have no idea what you're getting yourself into!'

'Bite me!' Hanako insulted.

"Hanako..." Kuwabara's scratchy voice caught the younger Urameshi's attention. She hadn't realized it, but she was shaking in terror. "Let's call it like this. Neither one of us want to fight that Toguro, but we don't have a choice. Let me try to fight him first and see if they pull any tricks or tournament committee crap. If they don't, then I will take him on. If they really want you to fight then we can't stop it from happening, but let's at least try it this way first, okay?" He swallowed hard, clearly shaken up himself.

Hiei stared at Kuwabara, both shocked and thankful for idiots words of wisdom. Even Yusuke seemed to sigh in relief, knowing his sister would come to her senses.

Hanako looked at Kuwabara and nodded, wiping her eyes quickly to stop the tears. "Yeah. Yeah let's do this your way." She turned again and headed towards the stadium.

Yusuke and Kuwabara gave each other a knowing look before following Hanako. The stadium was still mangled but the ring looked brand new, the crowed started roaring again as Juri began to speak about the third round starting. "Hello fans! It's time to start the third match of the finals! Did everyone have a good break?"

"Okay, Genkai must really be sick." Kuwabara mumbled.

"Yusuke, this may be a good time to tell Kuwabara the truth about Genkai." Kurama whispered to Yusuke. Urameshi simply looked away.

"It's not too late Kuwabara...I can fight." Hanako spoke quietly.

"The only way I am leaving the ring is if he's beaten or I'm dead. I just need to make sure the first one happens..." Kuwabara swallowed hard. "Hopefully this trial sword will do the trick."

"How will this crucial fight end!? It's time to find out!" Koto spoke into her microphone.

"Alright guys, in case I don't make it, take care of my cat." Kuwabara cracked his knuckles and headed into the ring, just as elder Toguro was stepping in. He was staring at Hanako the entire time.

Hanako glared and folded her arms over her chest. She was terrified, but she refused to let him know that.

"Ready!? Begin!" Juri announced.

Immediately Kuwabara began powering up, channeling all of his energy into his trial sword. Lightning shot from Kuwabara's body, and his energy filled the air. His sword was immense and powerful and he charged straight for Elder Toguro, slicing through Toguro's left shoulder and down his body.

"Oh man! I really got you huh? I'm sorry!" Kuwabara was actually apologizing.

Hanako looked thrilled. "Yeah! You got him!"

"I don't know if I should believe this people but Kuwabara's attack has ripped Toguro's body into two! I think this fight is...over?" Koto looked on, clearly thrilled by blood shed.

Yusuke looked at Kurama for answers. "Did Kuwabara just win?"

"I don't know."The red head looked just as stunned.

"I'm really incredible! I beat a Toguro brother with one attack!" Kuwabara praised himself.

"And the winner of the third match is Kuwabara-" Juri began.

Kuwabara was stabbed in several places; straight through his body as he screamed. Blood splattered everywhere and Kuwabara was in severe pain as he collapsed onto the arena floor, tossing his Trial Sword.

"What the!" Yusuke stammered. Hanako paled as she watched Elder Toguro rise from the concrete.

"Such a simple-minded child. It was so nice to trick you." Elder Toguro laughed and licked the wound on his thumb, which had once been his replica.

"This is supposed to be one on one!" Kuwabara winced.

"Oh I do assure you that my decoy and I are apart of the same body." Toguro smirked. "You see I can move my vital organs where ever I please, which makes injuring me very tricky."

"You're just a little freak show!" Kuwabara insulted.

Toguro extended his hand, stretching it several feet to grab Kuwabara's trial sword. "Truly an exquisite sword. Did you inherit it from her?"

Kuwabara's eyes widened. "Who."

"You'd think she'd leaving something behind like this for her apprentice, but I guess Yusuke wasn't strong enough." Toguro taunted.

"You don't know what you're talking about, Genkai is just sick!" Kuwabara struggled to stand, suddenly fearful for what he was hearing.

"Oh that's perfectly sad. Your friends have been keeping secrets." Toguro almost looked grim. Kuwabara was shocked and unable to move. "Genkai is dead, and has been for two days."

"No...It can't be..." Kuwabara looked to Yusuke, who could only look away. Hanako's eyes had watered and she covered her mouth, looking down at the ground after making eye contact with Kuwabara. "Why...didn't I see that..." Kuwabara mumbled. "I see...everyone really did know about it but me. They kept me out on purpose. They didn't think I could take it." He began shaking from grief.

In a flash, Toguro shot his fingers forward several feet and made contact with Kuwabara's flesh, surrounding his heart. Kuwabara fell to his knees in a pool of blood. Toguro cackled an evil laugh. "Don't cry Kuwabara. It's not your fault she couldn't stay. Go and question her yourself if you don't believe me. Just a few more inches and I can take out your heart." He forced his fingers deeper into Kuwabara's chest. Blood poured out as Kuwabara groaned in pain, grabbing at the pale fingers in an attempt to stop further intrusion.

"Kuwabara!" Yusuke worried.

Toguro released his fingers, laughing in amusement. He began talking about Genkai, and formed his hand to look just like her younger self! Hanako stared in shock and listened to the story of love, envy, and power. He spoke of Genkai's aging and began to insult her, seeming to make his younger brother angry. Suddenly Elder Toguro stabbed the image of Genkai, explaining her death as he laughed loudly in an evil cackle.

"That's all crap! Genkai wasn't jealous! Toguro killed her cause he couldn't have her!" Yusuke defended his deceased teacher.

Kuwabara stood, a golden aura surrounded him, his anger was fueling his power. "I'm going to kill you. You better know that." Kuwabara spoke with a shaking voice.

"Well that's very nice enthusiasm but you must have forgotten that I have your weapon." Toguro smirked. "I'd give it back but helplessness is more fun."

"You're honor less." Kuwabara shook with anger.

"Yes I am! Good thing that's not what this tournament is about!" Toguro formed his hand into a drill and shoved it right into Kuwabara's chest cavity.

Hanako, Yusuke, Hiei and Kurama watched in horror, waiting for the end of their friend and team-mate. Elder Toguro looked confused and irritated. "What's happening here!? I can't pierce your skin!"

"I see!" Kurama observed. "Kuwabara's strength and his resolve appear to be closely related!"

"You have no soul! You're just a nasty little waste of space!" Kuwabara yelled. "Now, Die!" Kuwabara's arm extended in front of him and shards of his spirit sword were flying in Elder Toguro's direction.

"Oh Damn!" Toguro panicked as he was struck violently, falling to the ring in pieces.

"And yet another new move from Kuwabara!" Juri announced.

"Elder Toguro is left on the floor in a pile of assorted body parts!" Koto sighed dreamily from the blood shed.

"Someone needs to get that woman a therapist." Hanako mumbled.

Juri began counting, and everyone prayed. "5! 6!" She continued.

"Maybe honor doesn't matter to you Toguro, but it does to me." Kuwabara stared at the body parts with disgust before walking away.

"7! 8!-Ahh!" Juri stepped back.

"Stop counting. Do you really think it's over." Elder Toguro spoke weakly as he started to put himself back together. "I was just surprised is all, I didn't think you could attack me that way." He smirked. "I should be more careful."

"What are you!?" Kuwabara stared at him, trembling.

"I would like to know that myself, but you'll need to ask the tournament committee for the answer to that one. I simply asked to become a demon, the rest was just trial and error!" He extended his fingers into 4 long spears, stabbing Kuwabara in all 4 of his limbs, raising him above the ring. Kuwabara was helpless as he howled in pain.

"Kuwabara!" Hanako spoke fearful.

"Quiet girl, don't think I've forgotten about you." Elder Toguro glared. Hanako stood her ground and glared back, balling up her fists. He smirked before looking back at Kuwabara. "Allow me to reintroduce you to the ground!" He slammed Kuwabara into the concrete face first.

"You Bastard!" Yusuke yelled.

"Now's the chance to cry and beg for your life just like your dear friend Genkai right before my brother killed her!" Toguro taunted, his voice had a sinister amusement about it.

"Liar." Kuwabara gritted his teeth.

"I was going to play with you a bit longer but your voice grows irksome." Toguro turned his free hand into a sharp dark metal blade.

"Kuwabara..." Yusuke worried.

"My mother always wanted me to become a surgeon!" Toguro laughed. "It's a shame I played hookie the day we dissected frogs, oh well, here goes!" He charged at Kuwabara.

"Yikes!" Juri backed away.

"You monster!" Shizuru shouted from the ring.

"Come to Papa!" Kuwabara shouted. He used his energy to grab his Trial Sword from across the arena, bringing it to himself.

"What is that?" Toguro paused for a moment.

"Another round of slicing for the bad guy." Kuwabara spoke and watched his energy tear Toguro to pieces once more.

Toguro laid on the ground and laughed. "We've been through this Kuwabara, my body doesn't like to go to pieces, so it doesn't" He began to regenerate again. "I've been very sporty. I've told you exactly how to end my life and yet you appear unfit to do it." He mocked.

Kuwabara looked at his Trial Sword and everyone watched as it changed to a vibrant purple, and changed forms from a sword to a large circular weapon. "I thought about what you said, Toguro, and you're right, I have no way of knowing where your vital organs are hiding. So I'll just pound everything all at once!"

"S-Stay back!" Toguro panicked.

"Well since we're sharing here, my mother always wanted me to be an exterminator, so now its time to make her proud of me. Spirit Fly Swatter!" Kuwabara reared back before slamming his weapon down on Toguro. His screams echoed throughout the stadium, and suddenly there was silence."Alright Juri, call the stinkin match."

"Oh! I'll come check it out!" The young referee waltzed over and looked at the hole where Elder Toguro had once been. "Ew...There's nothing left of him...Fans! The winner of the third match is Kuwabara!"

Kuwabara solemnly walked back to his team. Yusuke laughed, relieved. "About time you won a fight! That was awesome...You alright there man?" Yusuke suddenly looked unsure of the look on Kuwabara's face. Kuwabara wasted no energy when he punched Yusuke straight across the face, knocking him several feet back. "What the hell was that for?" Yusuke stared at Kuwabara.

"I thought we were a team, but I'm just one big joke to you all, aren't I? Well this Joke has feelings! Genkai meant a lot to me too!" Kuwabara grabbed Yusuke's shirt, jerking up him. "Did you all just sit around and laugh at how clueless I was!? Is that how you get your kicks Urameshi!? Huh!? Answer me!"

"Kuwabara, listen."Kurama reasoned.

"This doesn't concern you!" Kuwabara glared.

"Yusuke did not tell Hiei or me either. We were left to detect Genkai's passing for ourselves." Kurama said sadly.

"Is this true?" Kuwabara asked, looking at Yusuke.

Yusuke continued to stare at the ground. "I didn't tell any body. She died in my arms." He began shaking.

"Then what?" Kuwabara asked quietly.

"I asked Hanako to take her place. I guess I thought if I never said it, it wouldn't have to be real. I'd like to think that I know better then that now, the only way to move on is to give her death the reverence she deserves and to give grief it's due. I'm sorry you had to find out the way you did Kuwabara, and I'm sorry you felt we punked you, but I can't apologize for dealing with this the only way that I knew how." Yusuke walked passed Kuwabara and towards the ring.

"Urameshi." Kuwabara finally spoke. Yusuke stopped in his tracks. "Win this."

"Right." Yusuke smirked and cracked his knuckles and continued towards the ring.

"You knew too, didn't you." Kuwabara asked Hanako, not even looking at her.

"I was there when she died. I followed her immediately when she left the hotel that day. I should have interfered, I could have stopped her. Curiosity got the best of me, and by the time I stepped in to help Yusuke arrived, and...well, you know the rest." Hanako wrapped her arms around herself. She felt a hand on her shoulder and looked up to see Kuwabara smiling down at her.

"Don't kid yourself. No one could have stopped her."

"Thank you, Kuwabara. You know, you're not so bad, I don't see why Yusuke enjoys beating you up so much." Hanako grinned.

"Hey! I let him win all those other times!" Kuwabara frowned, while Hanako laughed. She made eye contact with Hiei and frowned.

'Are you okay?' She asked in her mind. He nodded and looked at the ring as Sakyo walked up to Juri and asked for the microphone.

'I didn't realize just how strong you are until now.' Hiei's voice shocked her.

'What?' Hanako looked at him, puzzled.

'Any normal Human female would have run away crying by now, the only reason your friends haven't is because they're safe in the audience. You offered to fight in Kuwabara's place, scared and unwavering at the same time. I read Toguro's mind; he was more pissed that you challenged him, instead of coward at his feet.' Hiei smirked.

Hanako felt proud of herself, and was surprised Hiei was actually praising her. 'Hiei? I can't wait for this to be over. I want to go home and things go back to the way they were, except this time I know you're not a dream.'

'Kurama has offered for you to come live with us in his Human mothers house.'

Hanako nearly fell over. 'What!? Are you serious?!'

'Your Human mother is never home, and Yusuke is gone for months. It was actually Kurama's mother who suggested it. She worries about you constantly. She told Kurama one night while I was away with you.' Hiei glanced over at her.

Sayko and Koenma laid their lives on the next match, insuring that whoever won the next round would win 2 points for their team. Ten minutes went by and the tournament committee approved the agreement. Elder Toguro returned with an evil laughter, as Younger Toguro and Yusuke were in the ring.

"This is not your fight." Hanako heard Kurama reason with Kuwabara.

"The heck it ain't!" Kuwabara glared.

"You'll see. Those two will decide who fights in this round." Kurama reassured.

Hanako watched in horror as the Younger Toguro kicked his brother into the air, and disintegrated him in one punch. She looked at Hiei with wide eyes. 'If we survive this...I will gladly move in with you and Kurama.'