Sayomi watched as Kokoh finished her match against a demon named Shosei. She clenched and unclenched her fists as her nerves started to build. Looks like it's our turn.

She turned her gaze towards Yusuke, who was already stretching his muscles to get ready for their match. He smiled at her and asked, "You ready?"

Sayomi heaved a heavy sigh and said, "Might as well get this over with."

"What's with that attitude? I thought you were looking forward to our first fight."

"I was, but now that it's here, I can't help but feel nervous about it. You're not exactly an opponent I know I can beat. I can maybe just keep up with you and the other guys," Sayomi confessed. He's been the one fighting the strongest opponents every time we had a mission.

Yusuke patted her back and said, "Don't sweat it. Just think of it as a friendly spar at Grandma's. No pressure."

Sayomi rolled her eyes and scowled. "You say that at a tournament that decides the fate of the entire Demon Plane, and by extension the other two worlds."

"Yeah well, if either of us wins, then it's an equal chance for a better result, right?" Yusuke reasoned.

Sayomi didn't think so. It would be the best-case scenario if he could win the whole tournament, but he even admitted he's not strong enough. Still, he has the best chance of defeating Yomi in the next round. Even so, I can't just hand him the match either.

As they stepped into the arena, the announcers brought their match to the center big screen. "Looks like our next match is between former king of Tourin, Yusuke Urameshi, and Shadow Info-broker, Sayomi. I believe they were even on the same team in the Dark Tournament."

"That's almost correct," Youda commented. "Yusuke Urameshi was indeed the captain of Team Urameshi, but Sayomi was merely the team's healer on the sidelines, not even their eventually needed substitute fighter."

"Does that imply she wasn't good enough for the Dark Tournament back then? If that's the case, how did she make it this far?" The woman asked.

"We have seen a glimpse of her potential power," Youda reminded his partner. "My guess is she wasn't able to control it back then. Now it seems she has learned to harness the shadows and use them to her best advantage. Shadow demons are rare, yet we have seen two such demons make an appearance in this tournament. The fact Lady Sayomi has made it this far only speaks well of her skills. How she fares against Yusuke is something we all will look forward to seeing."

In the ring, Yusuke and Sayomi stood waiting for the other to make the first move.

"Ladies first," Yusuke offered.

"Afraid of hitting a girl, Yusuke? Did Kuwabara's honor code rub off on you?" Sayomi taunted.

Yusuke grinned. "I'm not afraid to punch a girl if she's gonna punch back, but I know your shadow tricks well enough to keep my distance." He raised his hand, taking the stance for his Reigun.

As he fired a blast, Sayomi used her cloak to disappear from his view and jump up directly from his shadow. Yusuke stumbled back in surprise, and she smirked. "You haven't seen all of my tricks."

She aimed her elbow up for his chin, but he quickly leaned back to spring out of her range. She dashed towards him and pulled out her sickle.

Yusuke smirked and his fists started to glow blue with his aura. He met her charge with a solid right hook to the face. Sayomi rolled into a crouch then ran for the trees.

"I'm not letting you get away that easily! Reigun!" Yusuke fired another blast, but Sayomi jumped into the shadows at the forest's edge. Yusuke's shot went through her as she faded into the shadows of the canopy.

"Guess you're not coming out of there anytime soon." Yusuke ran into the woods to bring her out of hiding.

As he ran, the spectators were cheering for Yusuke to take down the demoness.

"Take her out, Urameshi!"

"Who would trust a Shadow demon as a king?"

"Come on, wench! Give us a show!"

Yasuhiro's eyes narrowed at the demons around him as he watched the match. Show them what you can really do, sis. If you do that, then maybe I can figure out who I really am without worrying about you.

In the rest area of Block D, Hiei switched his attention from Mukuro's match to Yusuke and Sayomi's. There was more favoritism for Yusuke to win, though Hiei didn't blame them. He even expected the same outcome, though he knew better than to underestimate Sayomi. The fact you're still alive despite everything you went through is more than enough to justify you making it this far. If anything, you should enjoy getting the chance to fight Yusuke when that's the goal of half the competitors here.

His eyes shifted back to Mukuro's fight in Block D. I have my own opponent to take down first before considering other Blocks.

On top of the Eon Tree, Yusuke was walking through the forest and watching out for any shadow movements. When he heard a flutter of fabric, Yusuke turned and fired off a blast on reflex, tearing Sayomi's cloak as it fell to his feet.

He heard the chain behind him and turned in time to get struck in the chest by the weighted end of a chain. "Ow! That wasn't very smart, Sai!"

He grabbed the chain and yanked on it as hard as he could, pulling Sayomi out from the shaded trunk of a tree. He grinned and powered up his fist. " Found you!"

Sayomi ground her teeth and swung her sickle, letting loose a black crescent of aura. Yusuke met the attack with a right cross, sending the attack down to the ground.

"Don't think you can sneak up on me that easily!" Yusuke said with a smirk.

"You're still walking straight into traps, Yusuke?" Sayomi asked as she landed in front of him.

"Trap?" Yusuke raised a brow and looked around. "Ah, crap."

Before he realized it, he was bound in place by a bunch of shadow tendrils. Some bound him to his own shadow, while others tethered him to the surrounding trees. "Is this your idea of a good time, Sai? I guess things are starting to make a little more sense between you and Three-Eyes."

"You think this is fun?" Sayomi raised her hand and manifested a small orb of pitch-black darkness. "I've learned a few tricks since the last time you've seen me fight. Wanna see?"

The orb in her hand started to expand until it swallowed her within its empty void. Yusuke struggled with the shadows but couldn't break free. "Well, at least I'm not afraid of the dark."

The black orb grew into a large dome of dense impenetrable shadow that covered most of the forest region of the arena.

"What's this?!"

"We can't see what's happening!"

"This is bullshit!"

"Looks like contestant Sayomi has covered the forest region in a dome of darkness! Our cameras can't pick up a thing!" One of the commentators exclaimed.

"It's a typical Shadow demon technique," Youda explained. "They're at their strongest in the dark. If the opponent can't see, then they often fall victim to paranoia and fear. It's one of the reasons the Underworld Special Defense Force hunted them to near extinction."

Yasuhiro narrowed his eyes. Why is she resorting to that technique? What is she up to?

Kurama had an idea of Sayomi's tactics. She's had proper sensory deprivation training, whereas Yusuke has not. She's most advantageous fighting in darkness, especially if she's fighting a blind opponent. Yusuke's instincts may prove to be the deciding factor in this fight.

Hiei narrowed his eyes as a black dome dominated the screen. She realizes she can't match him evenly otherwise. It's a desperate attempt, but her only real option.

Within the dark forest, Sayomi activated her infrared vision. She easily found Yusuke's body heat and made her move. So long as I stay quiet, he won't be able to find me. I'm glad his spirit awareness sucks, otherwise I'd never be able to get him.

She carefully snuck up behind Yusuke as he was blindly looking around for any sign of her. As she latched onto his back and wrapped her arm around his throat in a choke hold, Yusuke grabbed her arm and tried to keep her from squeezing too hard. "That's a low move, Sai."

Sayomi smirked and said, "Feels good knowing I can at least catch you off guard."

"Maybe," Yusuke allowed, "but you only set yourself up for this!"

He threw his head back and heard the crunch of cartilage.

"Ah!" Sayomi fell back and held her hand to her bleeding nose. She melded with the darkness and gained some distance between herself and the former detective. I should've expected something like that from him. Damn it, this hurts!

She braced herself for the pain and snapped her nose back into place. She used the bottom of her shirt to wipe most of the blood away so she could breathe. Note to self: don't try to grapple with Yusuke.

She concentrated on the black shadows shrouding them and focused on deepening them. As they grew denser, the air became colder. The shadows binding Yusuke in place solidified into solid black chains that didn't rattle.

Sayomi silently crept towards Yusuke's back as she considered her options. I can't really strike him down with my sickle. At best I could threaten his throat and hope he surrenders, but if I get too close, he'll grapple me again. I could choke him with my actual chain, but he'd pull me in. He's immobile, but he hasn't surrendered, so I know he has something up his sleeve.

She stopped out of his reach and lowered her voice. "You ready to give up, Yusuke?"

Yusuke tried to swing his head back again but hit nothing but air. He frowned and said, "Guess I can't get you twice. And no, you'll have to really try your best if you want to beat me fairly, Sai. None of this tiptoeing around."

Sayomi arched a reluctant brow. "You don't know what you're asking for, Yusuke. Best to just throw in the towel."

Suddenly, she saw a light shine in the darkness. She glanced down and noticed he was starting to charge up for another shot. It took me too much aura just to make him immobile. If he blows my darkness away, that'll be it. Maybe I can knock him unconscious.

She quickly stepped in to chop the back of his head, but she was shot by the small blast he managed to aim behind him. As he started to charge another blast, Yusuke said, "Sorry, but quitting's not really my style. You better go all out, Sai, because I'm not pulling punches with you. I respect you as a fighter, so you better give me everything you've got."

Damn it... Sayomi ground her teeth and clenched her fists. Why did he have to word it that way? I better not regret this.

Sayomi covered Yusuke in her aura and delved deep into his subconscious. He gave some resistance, but he didn't have any experience in fighting a mental battle. It didn't take her long to get through.

As she wandered his mind, she tried to find the shadows of his heart. "What really pushes you so much? I know you have a soft spot for Keiko, but why do you fight?"

Eventually, she found a shadow in the corner of his consciousness. As she approached, she received a cold glare from a slightly younger Yusuke.

"What the hell do you want?!" the angry teen demanded.

Sayomi glared back and crossed her arms. " You're the one who pushed me this far for a real fight. So, what crawled up your ass and died?"

"You're just like everyone else in my life. Butting into things where you're not wanted," he muttered as he turned to leave

Sayomi took a deep breath and exhaled slowly to calm her annoyance. Just talk to him. If this is his own kind of Shade, then there must be a good reason for the hostility. Just gotta find out what's bugging him so much.

"Might as well get to sharing, because otherwise I'll have to really dig for it, and I'd hate to do that to someone I cherish like a brother. So, what's got you in such a bad mood?" Sayomi followed him, keeping the boy in her sights.

"Anyone ever tell you how much of a pest you are?" he asked.

"I get that often enough," she confirmed.

"Then buzz off."

"Not until you tell me why you're so mad."

Yusuke sighed and scowled at her. "Fine. It's because once this tournament is over, it'll be back to the Human World where everything is peaceful and boring. I don't belong there."

"So, you're worried you'll be bored like before the Sensui Case? Isn't that normal, though? Every day shouldn't be an endless fight for your life," Sayomi reasoned.

"A demon like you wouldn't get it. You don't have to worry about watching your power around weak humans who look at you like a criminal. You don't have to go back to a mother who wastes her life drinking and partying with a shady crowd. You don't have to worry about teachers and adults making your life a living hell just because you're an easy scapegoat to blame."

Sayomi narrowed her eyes. "The details may not be the same, but I deal with the same discrimination in Tourin. At least you have a mother to go home to. Besides, so long as the right person wins, then you'll probably get the freedom to come here to let off some steam. It might not have to completely be one or the other."

"That's only if the right person wins. There's no guarantee it'll work out," Yusuke argued.

"Since when did Yusuke Urameshi doubt his own reckless actions? Is there something else bothering you?" Sayomi wanted to reach out to him, but he didn't seem to want any physical contact. Though she loved Yusuke like a brother, she knew it wasn't her place to solve his problems. The best I can do is guide him to his own answers.

"Yeah, it's because of your stupid question!" He turned to point at her. "I spent most of my life fighting, being angry... for what?! I gave all I had against Toguro and Sensui, but it was for their reasons. They wanted someone strong to take their lives, but what's my reason? What's all this been building up to? What if I'm not angry now? Am I just looking for someone to take my life... for good?"

"I can't answer that for you, Yusuke." Sayomi frowned as she watched him struggle with himself. "That's something you'll need to figure out for yourself, but you're not alone. You have friends here and in the Human World."

"Right. Friends..." Yusuke glared at her and asked, "And what happens when my human friends age and die? Am I still going to age like usual, or has my awakened demon blood changed that? What if I'm still in my prime while Keiko, Kuwabara, and everyone else dies of old age? What the hell am I supposed to do if that happens?"

"You grieve then move on," Sayomi answered. "Even if it's boring, you'll be able to look back and cherish those memories. You'll be happy to have them at all. Enjoy these boring days while you can because they won't last forever."

"That's it? Just smile and deal with it?" He sneered and said, "That sounds like a load of crap."

"Would you rather stay in the Demon Plane and regret not being with her at all?" Sayomi glared and pointed at him. "Keiko spends her time turning down potential mates because she's so loyal and devoted to you, yet you're here complaining that such a life would be too boring." She lowered her arm and turned to leave. "Maybe you're more like Toguro than you think."

Yusuke ground his teeth and shouted, "You take that back!"

"Why?" Sayomi stopped but didn't turn to face him. "Isn't it the same thing he did to Genkai?"

Yusuke clenched his fists and said, "He just wanted power. I'm not like that."

"You're choosing a life of fighting over a life with the one you cherish the most. I don't see much of a difference, Yusuke." She turned her head to look at him over her shoulder. "If the worlds remain divided, which world will you choose? What choice will you least regret?"

Yusuke glared down at his feet and mulled over her words. "The choice with the least regret, huh?"

Sayomi waited patiently as he tried to come to a decision. All he's known is fighting, but the one who was always there for him won't be there forever. He must realize how serious this choice is.

After another moment of thinking, Yusuke's shoulders started shaking. Sayomi arched a brow as she watched him tremble. Is he okay?

Then, he raised his head and started laughing out loud. As he calmed down, the smile on his face remained in place and he said, "When you're giving me the ultimatum, I guess the only real choice is obvious, huh?"

"I would say so," Sayomi agreed as she turned to face him. She crossed her arms and said, "You gave her a fair time limit, considering you didn't put time limits on these matches. Let's just hope she doesn't give up on you by the time this is all over."

Yusuke smirked at her and said, "Honestly, if she hasn't already, then she's way more than I deserve."

Sayomi smiled. "Hopefully whatever was bothering you is out of your system."

"Well, mostly," Yusuke said. "But I'll figure the rest out once I kick your ass." He aimed his finger at her and a blue light started to glow at his fingertip.

The light grew brighter, and she knew she had to leave. Gotta get out of here! She left his mind and realized he was charging a shot in the real world, too. Crap!

"Reigun!" Yusuke fired a large blast straight through the darkness, breaking it down along with half the forest in front of him. "Did I hit you?!"

Sayomi threw her chain from his blind side and the end wrapped around his ankle. She pulled him off his feet and jumped to pin him down with her foot. She was about to bring her sickle down when a small blast fired off from his aimed finger.

The blast grazed her cheek, throwing her off balance enough for Yusuke to push her off and face her head on. He threw an uppercut straight into her stomach, stealing the breath from her lungs. While he had her, he followed through with a left hook, knocking her down.

"You had me going there, Sai." He grinned and let his aura glow on his fingertip. "But when it comes to the dark, all you gotta do is turn on a light."

Sayomi tried to regain her breath as she looked up at Yusuke through her bangs. "Unfortunately, that's a weakness that's hard to overcome."

Yusuke raised his hand and beckoned her forward. "So, are we gonna keep going or are you ready to give up?"

Sayomi looked down and clenched her fists in the dirt. If I catch him by his shadow, I can immobilize him, but if he uses his Reigun, he might just make the shadow fade enough to get free. My ultimate technique helped him more than anything, but I can't use it to hurt the ones that actually matter to me.

With a heavy sigh, she knew she had no other choice. She sat and leaned back on her hands and said, "I concede."

Yusuke smiled and reached out a hand to her. Sayomi smiled and accepted his help pulling her to her feet. He turned to the lady on the flying eye camera and waved. "Hey! She gave up! Can we get down from here now?"

"Sayomi has admitted defeat! Yusuke Urameshi will move on to the third round!"

As they made their way back to the rest area, Yusuke ruffled Sayomi's hair. "You didn't have to hold back on my account, Sai. You should've gone all out."

"I don't think I could ever go all out against you, Yusuke. I spent too much time trying to protect you."

"Don't let that stop you next time. Whatever you can dish out, I can handle it." Yusuke lightly punched her shoulder. "Give me your worst."

"My worst is delving into your subconscious and dredging up your darkest fears and secrets," Sayomi explained. "It's not something I really want to use on my friends."

Yusuke paled at the idea. "I see… Glad you didn't go that far, then." He chuckled nervously.

They checked the monitors on the jumbo screens and saw that Mukuro was still fighting Natsume in Block D. Meanwhile, Shu and Souketsu in Block A weren't slowing down either.

"Any bets on how long these two fights will last?" Yusuke asked.

Sayomi shook her head. "It's a wonder they haven't reached a point of exhaustion yet."

"We'll be at that level one day. Just wait and see," Yusuke said with confidence.

"Maybe in another thousand years or so." Sayomi gave Yusuke a doubtful look. "You forget just how old they really are compared to us."

Yusuke shrugged. "True, but it seems that with demons, with age comes great power. I'll be looking forward to that future."

"For now, just focus on the more immediate future," Sayomi suggested. "Like your upcoming match with Yomi."

"Right," Yusuke drawled. "Are you coming back to the rest area to watch?"

"No, I think I'll go look for Yasuhiro and watch with the general crowd. I'll be cheering for you, though." Sayomi wanted to spend some time with her brother while she could. Who knows how things will turn out by the end of these matches?

"Alright," Yusuke relented, "Just take care of yourself out there. It's a bit of a rough crowd."

Sayomi scoffed and waved him off. "I'll be fine. You just come out of your match in one piece."

"What are you, my mom?" Yusuke grinned. "I'll be just fine. You just worry about your boyfriend when it's his turn to fight."

Sayomi scowled at Yusuke's remark. "We're mates, Yusuke, and considering he'll be facing off against either Natsume or Mukuro, it'll be a tough match for him either way. Don't forget Kurama will be facing off against Kujo in the next round, too."

"That's right," Yusuke realized. He cupped his chin in his hand as he thought about the next round. "Looks like the third round will be a tough one for all of us."

"Good thing you added that no death policy. Otherwise, these matches would be a bloodbath." Sayomi shuddered at the thought of her friends bleeding out or dead. I don't think I'd be able to handle that.

As they neared the rest area for Block B, they spotted Yasuhiro waiting for them. Sayomi raised her hand to wave at him, and he nodded his head in acknowledgement. "Guess that's my cue to head to the general seats." She turned to Yusuke and said, "Give Yomi a reason to respect you and show him that he's not getting that crown easily."

Yusuke smirked and gave her a thumbs up. "I'll be sure to give everyone here a good show."

As Yusuke returned to the Block B rest area, Sayomi walked back to the general seats with Yasuhiro. She turned to her brother and said, "I hope my match didn't trigger any traumatizing memories for you."

Yasuhiro shrugged his shoulders. "Couldn't really tell what was happening through that darkness you put up. The cameras couldn't catch anything until the end of the match. The demons were throwing a fit at the lack of entertainment."

"Yeah, well he wasn't giving me much of a choice." Sayomi thought back to the conversation they had in his subconscious. "Hopefully it won't distract him too much during his match with Yomi."

Yasuhiro raised a hand to pat her head. "He's a tough one. I'm sure he'll be fine."

Sayomi chewed on her lip as her nerves started to surface. I hope so.