The group decided to head into the hotel since the next day was the tournament. Kurama walked with Isae on the way.

"This is a surprise, I had left you a note about coming here," Kurama was relieved that he could still watch over her but it would also mean that whatever demon is after her could be in attendance.

"Yes, but it's been a life-long dream to come here," she sighed in bliss.

"Where did you get the money to pay the entry?" Kuwabara came beside them. "Did you steal it?" Kuwabara was curious.

"Just because I lived with raccoon demons doesn't make me a thief," Hoshimi implied.

"I didn't mean that, it's just that's a large fee to cover for someone who works at a flower shop," Kuwabara tried to make amends.

"I have my ways," she teased them.

Kuwabara and Kurama looked at one another and then back to her. The group had dinner with one another before split to their rooms.

At the tournament, Koenma had gotten box seats again. He had an extra seat for Hoshimi if she ever shows up. Yusuke and company found some seats and watched the tournament.

Juri and Koto were in the ring with microphones.

"Thank you for your patience and loyalty," Juri announced.

"We will start with the first qualification round" Koto walked around.

"Welcome to the new and improved Dark Tournament," Juri smiled.

"We have twenty-six teams ready to rumble," Koto boomed.

"With new owners and sponsors, more team replacements, this tournament is sure to be better than the last. Speaking of the past, usually the Dark Tournament is every fifteen years but since the downfall of the original committee, the new committee thought it would be great to start fresh as if the last one never happened," Juri spoke next. "So find your seats, get ready to cheer."

"Cause it's going to get bloody!" Koto raised her fist in the air. The stadium rocked as creatures cheered and clapped.

The two split and Juri stayed in the ring while Koto went to announce from the sidelines. The first two teams were up. Hoshimi and her team watched from the designated team rooms.

"The team leaders must come to an agreement on the terms of combat, as long as they engage in a series of duels to count up the victories," Koto explained.

"This is exciting," Hoshimi watched in awe. "I can't wait until we go!"

"You're not a sadist are you?" Suzuki watched as she squirmed with excitement.

"No, but I have never been here or seen it, so it's all new to me," Hoshimi explained. "The team that wins get their wish fulfilled right?"

"Yeah," Suzuki pondered as to what wish he would want.

The group watched the teams one by one until they were called out. Hoshimi and Suzuki walked behind the five that were going to fight.

"Good luck, I know you will do great," Hoshimi rooted for them.

"I'm going to warn you now, it's not going to get any better," Suzuki looked at the crowd.

Hoshimi was in awe. "So many. Wow. This is going to get interesting. I can't wait. Suzuki where do we stand?" She moved her parasol around to get a better view of the arena.

"Over here," Suzuki showed her the way as the teammates went to the sidelines.

"Our next two teams are Team Steadfast Verses Team Isae," Koto announced. "Team Steadfast has five strong demons that have battling determination and a short temper. All the members except one of Team Isae have participated in the tournament last time and have decided to team up."

Hiei, Kurama, and Yusuke sized up the two teams. They believed that Team Isae was going to win. Juri had the teams decide how the rules were going to be for the round. The teams both decided on one on one matches. Hoshimi had agreed without hesitation. Her teammates were surprised since she argued with the other demon to sign up.

Chu went up first against the biggest one. It didn't take long for Chu to knock him down. Next, was Toya, who froze the demon before he could make a move. Rinku got his opponent knocked out without using his yo-yos. When Shishi went on the ring, the fan girls went wild, and Hoshimi watched them with curiosity.

"The Beautiful Shishiwakamura," Juri announced. The fangirls screamed and cheered.

Suzuki sighed in disappointment. Hoshimi looked over to him. Suzuki explained. "They didn't like him in his true form, yet they like him when he looks human."

"Sometimes our true form attracts more of what we don't want and another form attracts what we want instead," Hoshimi understood. "You just have to remember both forms are beautiful but the true form is the greatest." Suzuki gaped at her while she cheered her teammate on.

Shishi won his battle with the same charisma and confidence. Last was Jin who didn't take long for his win either.

"That didn't take long," Kuwabara told the rest.

"It was too easy for them," Hiei commented. "Lower class demons don't stand much of a chance."

"That's five for five!" Koto exclaimed. "Team Isae is off to a good start. They have qualified."

The group headed out of the arena with cheers from the audience. Shishi winked to his fangirls who nearly fell over and fainted do to this. Isae congratulated all of the team members. Yusuke and company met them in the lobby area.

"Good job," Yusuke smiled. "Wouldn't expect anything less."

"Too bad you're not in the tournament Urameshi, it would be more of a fair fight," Jin wiggled his ears.

"Yeah, a fight worth having," Chu agreed.

Hoshimi stopped when she spotted a demon watching past tournament fights on a handheld device. She went over to him. The group didn't notice her leaving.

"Excuse me," Hoshimi looked over his shoulder. "Are those the available for everyone to view upon?"

"Why yes," the demon turned around after he sized her up. He stood up to be twice as tall as her. "For a price." He sneered.

"Isae!" Three voices shouted at her. The three raccoon brothers rushed in. Two instinctively guarded her in front from the demon while the other took her back a few steps. The three brothers stared the demon down. He blew out his nose and turned away in defeat.

Those around focused on them. "Don't make such a commotion." Hoshimi got out of their grasp. "I can take care of myself."

"You do know that he is probably here," Hitoro tried to warn. "He'll be competing. He'll find you out and-and-"

"It's alright," Hoshimi sighed. "If he wants me dead he'll keep after me. I can face him on my own."

"We can't lose you as well," Naozumi stared her down. "This isn't about revenge is it?" The other two wanted to know as well.

"He can cross over to the other side," Hoshimi argued. "I am no longer safe anywhere. I am fine on my own." She never answered about the revenge.

"Isae you can't," Sora begged her.

"I will not hide anymore," Hoshimi stood her ground.

"Ugh, we have company," Hitoro gulped as all of the new friends Hoshimi made were looking at them with anger and were ready to fight.

"Hm?" Hoshimi stared wide eyed for a moment to see them ready to act on her behalf. She gave a soft smile and came over. "My everyone this is a surprise. Thank you but there is no need."

"We won't let any demon lay a finger on her," Yusuke spoke for everyone. "Especially the one who is after her. By the way, you never said who this demon is, who is it?"

The three brothers looked at one another before looking back to him. "We cannot tell you. Isae won't say who it is either. It's the only way to help protect her."

"Alright, if no one will tell us, we'll keep an eye on her in case she is spotted, besides all of us here are S class," Yusuke decided for the group.

"S class!" The three gulped.

Hoshimi shook her head at them. "You couldn't tell? It's not hard to sense that they are all S class." The group all blinked at her with surprise. "Oh, you didn't know I knew. I can sense your auras and potential. Besides the first qualification seemed too easy for you and the rest will be until we hit the preliminaries and the semi-finals and then the finals themselves."

The raccoon brothers looked to her. "Isae you were in the arena?"

"Did he spot you?"

"You're not fighting are you?"

"Oh yes I was and it was wondrous, I don't believe so, and I don't know yet," she answered their questions. "Did you three make it into the tournament?"

"No, we didn't have enough members or the money," Naozumi answered.

"Neither did we," Yusuke kept staring at them.

"Too bad they won't take late fees," Hoshimi patted them on the backs. "I already asked. New rules. We should all relax and enjoy the first win. Come, drinks are on me." She hooked arms with Naozumi and Yusuke to head off to the bar.

"Did she just?" Kuwabara stopped in mid-sentence.

Hiei and a couple others chuckled. The group followed them. She bought the first round and warned them all not to get too tipsy, they have another match the next day. Chu hoisted her on his shoulder and made a toast to her. Everyone toasted with him.

"To the Sheila who saved our hides and got us into the tournament, to Isae!" He slurred.

"To Isae!" They toasted.

Team Isae headed out to their rooms followed by the rest of the group. Shishi stepped out of the bar and had a whole group of fangirls waiting for him.

"Shishi!" They called out to him.

He gave them his famous smile. They cried and fainted over him.

"All these Sheila's raving over you," Chu shook his head in disbelief.

"He's still their favorite," Rinku added.

Shishi started to sign some autographs.

"So many," Hoshimi stood next to Hiei and Kurama.

Hiei rolled his eyes. "I thought they didn't think he was beautiful when they saw his true form."

"Oh that's right, I wonder what his true form is" Hoshimi was curious. She looked over to Shishi.

"Just wait, he'll tire of them and transform to get away," Hiei started to walk away. Suzuki came out with Yusuke and Jin. They walked in front of Shishi who transformed into his true form, a tiny imp. He perched on Suzuki's shoulder as the girls found out that he disappeared.

"Where did he go?"

"Wow! He's so cool and dreamy!"

The girls all awed until one spotted Isae.

"Hey you, new girl!" One of demon girls pointed to Hoshimi "Don't you dare go thinking that you can have him." The other girls nodded in unison with her.

Hoshimi was stunned for a moment. Did they not know she was the team sponsor? She was about to speak when Kurama put his arm around her.

"Ladies please, she's with me," Kurama reassured. "You don't have to worry. Shishi Wakamaru is still available."

"Shuichi," Hoshimi didn't know what to say as Kurama walked her away from the small horde. "Thank you."

The two walked into the hall. His arm still around her. "Your welcome. Remember I would protect you." Hoshimi chuckled as she gave his arm back to him. Kurama stopped. "My apologies." She patted his arm.

"You are kind Shuichi, but I have many secrets," Hoshimi tried to tell him.

"As do I," Kurama presented his arm to her. "Maybe one day we will trust one another fully enough to hear them."

Hoshimi pondered it for a moment and took his arm. "Maybe one day."

The two stopped in front of her room. "Your room." Kurama pointed out.

Hoshimi was about to thank him when she saw Suzuki and Shishi.

"That was a close one," Shishi spoke.

"You didn't tell them where you were staying did you?" Suzuki asked. Shishi shook his head. "Good. I can get a full night's rest."

"Shishi," Hoshimi called to him.

"Huh?" The two stopped and looked at her.

Shishi bowed his head trying to hide from his embarrassment.

"Why are you hiding?" Hoshimi walked past Kurama. "You look much more handsome in this form."

All three were confused by what she had just said. Shishi tilted his head to the side.

"No need to transform into the human disguise," Hohsimi stood in front of Suzuki. "If your fans don't like you in this form, then they are not true fans at all." She was about to pinch his cheeks but stopped herself.

"Isae is right," Kurama stood by her. The two nodded to them and headed into their room. Kurama said good night to her and headed off to his only to find that the room he shared with Hiei was locked. He sighed and rolled his eyes. He knew what Hiei was trying to do. Isae opened her room up. She stopped to see that Kurama was waiting in front of his. He was about to unlock the door using his thieving techniques when a demon snake launched out. She ducked as it tried to get her. "Isae!" He called while running to protect her. The others heard the commotion and came out of their rooms.