Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho or Inuyasha or any of their characters. I do, however, own any OCs created and the story written.
Chapter 1: The Tournament Begins
Previously:
"Forget him." Hiei said dismissively. "Yusuke and I are all that we'll require," He glanced at Kagome. "With any luck, your services will not be required."
Kagome couldn't suppress her grin. "I'd like that, actually." She bent over and adjusted her black calf-high hafu boots. She had on black capri leotard, red jean shorts, and a white bolero sweat shirt. She was ready to go.
Kurama smiled down at her, "You've learned some new things as well."
"I had some pretty good teachers."
"Can't wait to see you in action." He chuckled, "Just not at the tournament."
"That's the hope."
"Enough of pesky distractions!" The captain waved his hook in the air. "Let's all get on board!"
They boarded the ship and took off. Kagome sighed as she stared at the demons around them. This was going to be a long trip.
1-2-3-4-5
Kagome stood between Kurama and Hiei, fidgeting, "I cant remember ever being around this many Youkai at one time. The inside of the Jewel doesn't count." She looked around nervously as the monsters kept shooting glances their way, "You don't think they sense it, do you?" She whispered, knowing the guys on either side of her heard, "Or is it just because of our group as a whole?"
Hiei, who Kagome had confided in, sneered from his perch on top of the railing that the others were leaning on, "Probably both. Don't worry. The Jewel no longer physically exists. It's just the power that they're feeling and I promise, these idiots have no clue what it is. You're safe on that front, at least."
"That's a plus."
"Shoot, nothin' here but ugly monsters." Kuwabara scoffed, "I thought cruises were supposed to have pretty girls."
"Wrong type of cruise, dimwit."
"You got that word from Master Genkai, didn't you?" He scowled at her, "You sure do call Yusuke and I that a lot."
"It's a good word. Doesn't get enough recognition."
Hiei chuckled, "I sure hope the island isn't as boring as this."
"We're not on vacation, you know." Kurama admonished.
"I know, but couldn't they at least just give us a place to eat?" Kuwabara grumbled, "With pretty waitresses?"
"Demon ship, Kuwabara." Kagome shook her head in frustration, "Honestly."
"Alrighty, mateys." The captain had reappeared on a platform overlooking the deck, microphone in hand. "Turn yer eyes to the captain's deck. It's still going to be quite a time before the ship finds a way to the 'arbour. So we'll be 'aving some entertainment to keep yeh from gettin' rowdy."
"Ooh! I knew it! Some dinner and dancing!" Kuwabara exclaimed.
"I don't think that's what he means Kuwabara." Kagome rolled her eyes.
"The preliminary battles of the tournament will be fought here on me trusty ship." The captain added.
"Say what?!" Kuwabara yelped. Mutters of dissent swept through the crowd.
"A preliminary for the competition." Hiei replied, unsurprised.
"Now that we can't go anywhere." Kurama unamused.
Kagome nodded, "Their way of weeding out the weak." Just then, the ship began violently quaking.
"Earthquake!" Kuwabara yelled, panicking.
"Fool!" Hiei snapped. "There can't be earthquakes on the water!"
Kagome nodded, "Key word in earthquake is Earth."
"Look!" Kurama pointed. The upper deck had split open, and from below rose a giant battle arena.
"Whoa, that thing's huge!" Kagome gasped.
"She's a real beauty, ain't she?" The captain said proudly. "Now, I'll tell it to yeh straight. Fifteen teams 'ave already been chosen for the Dark Tournament. They're awaitin' your arrival. That means, out of all of you on my ship only one team will compete on dry land."
The other demons shouted their disapproval.
Kuwabara looked suspicious. "Hold on, I thought that we were the special guests."
Kagome frowned, "They're demons."
"This is the way they operate." Hiei shrugged.
"All teams pick out yer strongest man and bring 'im to the arena's portside." The captain continued. "There, they'll fight in a Battle Royal! And whoever comes out alive gets their team a ticket to fight on Hanging Neck Island!"
"So, one big beat-down, huh? Guess I'll have to show them the brand new Kuwabara super attack." Kuwabara said before a demon appeared behind him.
"Yes I do prefer larger battles. One-on-one always makes me bored." The large demon, smiling.
"A chance to sharpen my claws." Another one said beside.
A third spoke up behind the other two, "Now I can kill as many apparitions as I want to. After I turn that human boy Urameshi inside out of course."
Suddenly, Kuwabara didn't seem quite so brave. "Uh, what did he say about the human?" He squeaked. "You know, these guys are pretty big when you see them standing right next to you… hey, that's right."
He turned to Yusuke, who for some reason or other hadn't moved or spoken. "You're the one who wants to fight them. Well I guess as the group leader it is your responsibility."
Yusuke's head lolled forward, his whole body slouched. He was dead asleep. "Hey! Wake up Urameshi! I said it's the group leader's responsibility!" Kuwabara shook him vigorously. Still no answer. "Why do I feel like I'm screaming at myself?!"
"Because you are, dimwit." Kagome sighed. "He's asleep."
"Can't you wake him up?!"
"Stop." Kurama ordered, turning to him. "The training Yusuke went through was apparently immense. You must give him time to recuperate."
"Then who's gonna fight with all the big monsters?!" Kuwabara exclaimed.
The Masked Fighter started walking towards the arena. "It seems we have a volunteer." Hiei smirked, "Good. I'm anxious to see what he can do."
Kuwabara rounded on him. "Are you serious?! We don't know jack squat about that guy! What if he loses and we get booted from the tournament?"
"If that happens, all we have to do is kill everyone else on the boat before we reach the island. We'll say we're the right team and no-one will complain."
"You didn't have too many friends growing up, did you?" Kuwabara asked.
"Don't worry." Kagome smirked as she watched the fighter go up the stairs to the platform, "It won't come to that."
"Do you ever get the feeling they know something we don't know?" Kuwabara asked, looking at his teammates.
"All the time." Kurama and Hiei said, smiling down the girl
Standing alone against the demons, the unconcerned Masked Fighter was completely dwarfed by the sheer size of them.
"Let's attack the one from the human team first." One demon suggested with a crafty smile. "Then we can start on each other."
"Good idea!" Another one agreed.
"Hey, we've got to do something to warn him! They're all going to gang up on him and he's trapped himself in a corner!"
"Patience." Kurama said.
The captain laughed and shouted, "Attack!"
The Masked Fighter fired off a Spirit Energy attack similar to Yusuke's Shotgun Blast. It was strong enough to throw all the other fighters off the ship and into the ocean. The Masked Fighter straightened up and calmly walked off the arena stage without a word.
Kagome just started laughing as the others stared in awe.
"Holy crap. He got everyone up there with one blow." Kuwabara gasped.
"I guess that explains why Yusuke can sleep so peacefully on a boat full of demons." Kurama chuckled.
Up on the main deck, the captain looked livid. "Grrr… I'm sorry to say that the sixteenth team will have to be a human one! Yusuke Urameshi's team!"
"Good job little man!" Kuwabara cheered. "So how about you let us see under those bandages now?" The Masked Fighter wordlessly pointed behind them and they all turned to see the furious crowd of demons surround them. "Hey? What's this?"
"You really think we care about fighting by the rules?" One demon asked.
"There's only one way to find the best team on this boat." Another agreed.
"Wouldn't you know?" Kuwabara asked.
"I think they stole my idea." Hiei commented, "We'll have to make them pay very dearly for that."
"Of course." Kurama smiled as he held up a rose.
Kagome released a chain that was on her wrist, "This'll be interesting."
Chaos and panic ensued, beginning with a demon jumping on Kuwabara's back. Kurama, Hiei, Kagome and the Masked Fighter leapt into the air, followed by their challengers.
Kagome landed on a bird demon, using her chain as a whip and wrapped his around his throat. With her Reiki infused into the chain, it purified him in seconds. She kept going, whipping one demon after another, purifying them into ash. She finally looked around and noticed that all the demons seemed to be gone.
"Urameshi!" Kuwabara screamed as a demon went to attack Yusuke.
"Heh! This kill will make me famous!" He giggled.
Before Kagome could react, Yusuke stood up and started punching the air, sending the demon into the opposite railing, knocking him out cold.
"Come on! You can't scare me, Grandma! I'll knock you back to your grave!"
Yusuke's arms were flying so fast they were practically a blur, and even though he was still asleep, he was screaming as if someone was there.
Kuwabara blinked. "That's a relief." He said blankly. "He's finally awake."
"No, fool!" Snapped Hiei, "He's sleeping."
Kuwabara looked back in surprise, "Right now?"
"Quit you stupid old lady!" Yusuke shouted and then collapsed back into sitting position, head hung.
Kagome just giggled, "I lost track of how many times I heard him say things similar to that in the last two months."
"Even in his slumber, Yusuke is reliving the training," Kurama explained. "His preparations should make us all jealous. You too?" He asked looking at the Miko.
"Yep."
With a final yell, Yusuke quietly sank down into the exact same position he'd been in before the fight started.
"But she wouldn't fight unless she had her own reasons." Kuwabara said, making them look curiously at him.
"What are you mumbling?" Kurama asked, as they started to walk over to Yusuke, leaving Kuwabara staring off into space.
"He's trying to talk in his sleep when he's awake." Hiei snorted.
Kuwabara shouted, "Hey! What happened to the fight we were just in?"
"Everyone's dead." Kagome replied, staring out at the water.
Kurama stood next to Kagome. "Nice whip."
"Well, you know," she shrugged, "kinda stole it from you."
"Did you now?"
"Technically, your past self taught me how to use one. When my trainers learned that, they created the chain for me."
"What's it made from?"
She hesitated, "Um, it's the chain of a necklace that I used to wear."
"The one with the rose quartz fox?" She cut her eyes at him and he just chuckled, "Forgive me, but you weren't trying to hide it."
"Yes, that chain. It was made from some metal used by demons, so…"
"I like it."
"Thanks."
Everyone gathered their things and went to the front of the boat. "So, that's Hanging Neck Island," Kuwabara as they island get closer. "This is going to be wild, you guys!" He looked around at the group, "Everybody better not leave me!"
"I'm telling you, this boy used to eat paint chips growing up. Unreal." Kagome just muttered under her breath, making the two demons on either side of her smirk.
1-2-3-4-5
"Are we really staying here?" Kuwabara's eyes bugged out at the sight of the Hotel Kubikukuri.
It was the fanciest looking building Kagome had ever seen. All six members of Team Urameshi had made it to the hotel without any problems. It seemed to be the only building on the island aside from the stadium nearby, obviously where the tournament would take place.
Kuwabara had Yusuke's sleeping body slung over his shoulder with his bag and Kagome carried Yusuke's belongings along with her own. The doors to the hotel opened automatically and they stepped inside.
"Wow." Kuwabara breathed. "Well it's definitely better than the pirate ship."
A hotel staffer dressed in a tuxedo approached. "The best of the evening, gentlemen and young lady." He smiled as he nodded to them, "The hotel has been expecting you. Please, follow me."
"Anyone else creeped out by all this?" Kagome asked as she looked around, smirking as the others raised their hands in agreement, "Thought so."
"I got a bad feeling about the people in here. I never trust grown-ups dressed that fancy." Kuwabara said darkly.
"It makes me sick to see all these humans here." Kagome growled as they walked, "It's one thing for demons to do this to themselves, but the fact that these humans enjoy watching demons kill each other is disgusting. It's worse than dog fights."
Everybody nodded in agreement. Human on human fighting or demon on demon fighting; betting on the morbid outcomes of fighting was despicable. They finally reached their rooms and the creepy man left them alone.
"I gotta hand it to them. They sure know how to make things pretty. I haven't seen this much rich stuff in my whole life." Kuwabara said, still standing as he looked around the main room.
Kurama, Kagome, and Genkai were sitting on one couch, Yusuke was laying on the other, still sleeping, and Hiei was standing to the side.
The door open and bellhop walked in with a serving tray, "Your evening coffee lady and gentlemen." Kagome sensed a demon enter the room and one of the coffee cups disappeared after everyone took a cup. "Compliments of the hotel." As the butler left, Hiei and Kuwabara joined them on the couches.
"Careful, those fancy guys might be trying to poison us." Kuwabara warned.
"Does that really make sense Kuwabara?" Kurama asked, sipping from his cup, "Why would they bring us all the way here to poison us?"
Hiei nodded, "The organizers want to see us fight. They'll save their murder attempts for tomorrow."
Kagome snorted, "That's comforting." She paused before drinking as she looked behind them and smiled.
"You guys can talk your logic all you want. I'm sticking with the trusty old aluminum." Kuwabara said, pulling a can from his bag.
"Why is there only one coffee cup on the table?" Kurama questioned.
"That's the one I'm not drinking, remember? Duh!" Kuwabara said impatiently.
Kurama nodded. "So there should be two. One for you and one for Yusuke."
"Wow, you think Urameshi can drink in his sleep, too?" Kuwabara asked.
"Actually," Kagome nudged the fox as a slurp sounded out and pointed behind them, "he took it."
They all stood up and saw a kid squatting down on a dresser, sipping the missing cup of coffee.
"How did you get in here?" Kurama asked sharply.
"He must've been hiding in the room before we even came in!" Kuwabara gasped.
"Fibber fibber! I came through the door after you got here. Isn't that what good boys are supposed to do? I guess I did forget to knock, though."
"Good boys would've asked permission to come in." Kagome admonished.
He shrugged, "I'd apologize, but I'm not sorry. So you guys are the guests, aren't you? You're so lucky. Oh, my name is Rinku, by the way. I'm on the Rokuyukai team that you're fighting tomorrow."
"Is that so?" Kuwabara asked as Kagome grabbed a cookie off the tray that came with the coffee.
"Here." She handed it to the kid, "It's a ladyfinger cookie. Dip it in the coffee."
"Gee, thanks." He did as she suggested, "This is really good." He shrugged, "I wish I was a guest." He finished his drink and balanced himself on the cup with his fingers, "They don't have to go to all the boring opening ceremonies or meetings about the rules. You just show up here and fight. Guess you don't have to learn about all the prizes and final round stuff when you're gonna be dead soon."
He smirked, "Somebody told me the guests would be special so I got excited. But you don't look special at all. Maybe I'll even beat you no-hands."
Kagome smiled at him, "You think so? I'd like to see it." She encouraged, making the young demon smile up at her.
"Don't you think you're talking too much." Another voice said. They turned to see an adult male demon with blonde hair leaning against the wall.
"What? Who is he?" Kuwabara asked. "Something's wrong. I didn't sense either of them come in."
"Hey there, Zeru. I was just saying how-dee-do to our enemies." Rinku said, jumping over to the older demon.
"Enjoy your last night among the living. Let's just say tomorrow you'll strongly resemble your coffee cup." Zeru said as the remaining cup split in half, spilling coffee all over the table.
Kagome, who had made a small dart of her Reiki in her hand, shot it straight out, cutting the top of the older demon's hand, "Oops." She shrugged as he shot a shocked look at her. "I'm sorry, really, but when I feel demon energy come at me, and it's not friendly, I just react. Reflex. You understand." Zeru smirked, looking her over in appraisal, before he and Rinku left.
Kagome turned to the group, "Bed. We all need our sleep for tomorrow."
Kuwabara took Yusuke to their shared room and the others dispersed. Kagome stared out the window of her own room.
I wonder if Sesshomaru approved of these tournaments.
1-2-3-4-5
2 MONTHS AGO…
Deep within the Western Lands of Makai, the Great Inu Lord was having dinner with his family when a toad-like demon rushed in. "Lord Sesshomaru!"
"What is it now, Jakan? Can't you see that we're eating?"
"Yes, milord, but this is important. Your spies have been informing you of the young Miko back in the present…"
"Yes, you idiot." Inuyasha huffed, "We already knew all of that. We've been fighting with the border patrols about trying to go back over, as is our right with the Golden Door, but that stupid tournament is causing even more unrest than usual."
Momo leaned on his arm, "Which is making it difficult for us to go see our friend. I mean, I know she's been back for almost a year now and I haven't gotten to see her yet. It really sucks."
"Speaking of the tournament…"
"You know we never go to the ridiculous thing." Yuri rolled her eyes, "It's a complete waste of time and demons. We always turn down the invite."
"Well… you may want to go to this one."
Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes at his long-time servant, "Want to explain?"
Jakan held up the invite with the special notices, "The Special Guest team this year… it has two humans and two demons in it. The fifth player is unknown but the alternate is listed as the human cousin of the team's leader." He cut his eyes up from the paper, afraid for his life, "A very special Miko named Kagome." He froze as the entire table exploded. He had a feeling that they were going this year.
To be continued…
A/N: I wanted to thank all the reviewers from the Spirit Detective and the Miko: Book 1 - The Beginning.
I appreciate all the support you've given me!