A New To Live

Kuwabara couldn't help but smirk as he walked onto the field, his opponent walking next to him before the two made room for one another, staring down at the child. He was facing a child after all. That was not something that required fear.

'Easy win.'

Shorin merely stared back at Kuwabara, a light smirk the only blemish on his face. Yusuke's eyes narrowed as he noticed the grin, quickly running over to the teen since the two had no started fighting yet.

"Hey Kuwabara!"

"What do you want Urameshi! Don't try to give me any of your coaching advice!"

"I'm not gonna," Yusuke stated, leaning up to whisper towards his friend. "But remember that demon Naruto and I were talking about? Well we're pretty sure that's him. Naruto is here as a safety net, but you should pull out of this fight."

"No way!" Kuwabara roared, not even bothering to think over the offer. "I don't care who he is! First I'm gonna kick this guys ass and then I'm gonna grind your face into the dirt. Now stop tryna get out of it by making me scared!"

The two continued arguing, a shouting match developing between the two, regardless of the person they were talking about being only a few feet away.

"They're idiots," Botan said, sighing.

"I think it's pretty funny," Naruto said, a laugh forming on his face. Slowly the laugh fell however, his eyes filling with...something before it disappeared. Botan caught it however.

"You sound as though you've heard it before," Botan questioned.

"It is a familiar scene."

"Oh? You and someone you know in the past act like this?"

"Something like that," Naruto stated, purposely cryptic. The Grim Reaper was not Kurama. He had no obligation to her.

"Excuse me," Shorin called, getting the groups attention. "May we start?"

"Yeah," Kuwabara stated before anyone else had any room to argue, effectively ending it. Yusuke stubbornly walked back over to Naruto, looking at him shiftily.

"He better not die."

"I'll make sure of it," Naruto stated, giving Yusuke a thumbs up. "That's the promise of a lifetime! Believe it!"

"That was corny as hell man," Yusuke muttered.

Shorin swiftly dropped into a stance as Kuwabara charged, the teen claiming to take down the smaller opponent in one hit as he cocked his fist back. The fist roared forwards, and as it landed a former Jinchuriki, a Detective, and the Grim Reaper's eyes all widened with surprise. Shorin's cheek formed itself to the blow before he was sent flying backwards, the child struggling to stand afterwards.

"I see this fighter contains more strength than I thought," Shorin muttered, groaning as he rose to his feet.

"Gee buddy are you alright that was just a warm up shot."

"You needn't worry about my health sir," Shorin responded before rushing in once more. Swinging his fists in a blaze he tried to hit Kuwabara, his short, wild blows missing entirely. Kuwabara danced around the attacks, frowning as he realized just how easy it was. This was supposedly a dangerous demon? If they were this weak why was humanity not allowed to know about their existence? If this was the best a demon could do he wondered just how it had won it's last fight. Dodging once more, Kuwabara got tired of the fight, grabbing Shorin's kick before slamming his punch into the child's gut. Shorin dropped to his knees before Kuwabara kneed him in the face, dropping him to his back.

"Our difference in strength is pretty big huh," Kuwabara taunted, laughing all the while.

"He does realize that to a normal person he would be beating up a child while saying this right," Botan muttered.

"Well he's a demon so is it the same idea," Naruto questioned.

"Good point."

"So is that the end of this fight," Kuwabara stated, although the answer was obviously a firm no. Shorin was already standing, hands stretched out.

"No, first let me try a few techniques."

Shorin grunted, his hands swirling into a stance as though he was holding a ball, his hands in a reversed form. Grunting his arms flexed, the child moving them slightly in a rotation in the direction of Kuwabara. The sound of lightning crackling filled the area before a flash appeared between the mans hands before quickly flickering away. Shorin slowly raised his hands, assuming a martial arts stance as a red aura flashed around him.

"The structure of his spirit energy is changing," Botan muttered.

The child brought his hands back down in the familiar position, before the sound of electricity filled the area again. Once more a flash of red appeared in his hands, however this time it stayed, before his hands surged outwards, red tendrils of energy whipping around the child. Raising his hand, one of the tendrils whipped forwards, misty in composition, before a flash of light shot from the top of the child's hand, a ball of fire appearing from it.

"What is that," Kuwabara questioned.

Chuckling, Shorin formed another fireball in his other hand, his glare never leaving Kuwabara's form.

"It couldn't be," Genkai muttered.

"Circles of Inferno!"

With a heave Shorin launched one of the fireballs at Kuwabara, the teen barely diving out of the way as the fire licked the air near his clothes. Heat flooded his body, but otherwise the fireball just sailed passed him. However, Kuwabara was offered no reprieve, another fireball being launched towards him, forcing him to dodge for his life once more. Shorin grunted, forming another fireball causing Kuwabara to grimace.

"If you wanna use your fireworks then I'll use mine," Kuwabara stated, raising his stump to form his blade of energy once more. "Alright you little shrimp baby batters up!"

Shorin did not hesitate to respond to the challenge, launching a fireball at Kuwabara that was easily redirected right back at him. Shorin's eyes widened, reacting to slow to negate his own attack before the fireball smashed into his stomach, sending him careening backwards, the fire burning away any clothing on the child's stomach. The child groaned in pain on his knees, the top of a deep purple burn just barely visible from his position, steam wafting from the wound.

"Kuwabara's like a whole new fighter when he starts using that Spirit Sword. I think he can beat this punk, Rando or no Rando."

"It's possible at the least," Botan stated. "But if this is Rando I doubt this is the extent of his abilities. We should be wary just in case."

"Very surprising," Shorin stated, his voice unnaturally confident considering he had failed to land a blow throughout the entirety of the match. "Twice now you've managed to avoid my attacks, even making your own offensive. This requires a new approach."

Shorin's hands clasped together in some kind of seal, his mouth moving but the words to quiet to distinguish. Kuwabara frowned, blade resting on his shoulder.

"What in the heck are you muttering about over there? You might as well speak up."

Shorin did not heed his advice, his chanting continuing before a strange presence began to fill the air. It reeked of death and power. Genkai's eyes narrowed ever so slightly.

"Yes I thought I recognized where that fireball attack is from. Ages ago, two grand masters spent the last half of their life perfecting the Circles of Inferno and this chant."

"What exactly does it do," Yusuke questioned.

"That isn't the point," Genkai stated, as if talking to a petulant child. "What matters is that the only ones that could have taught this boy have been dead for centuries."

"Ignoring the fact that you literally just stated you've been alive for centuries," Naruto muttered. "That pretty much proves that kid is Rando."

"Yeah," Yusuke muttered, glaring at Shorin before he glanced worriedly at Kuwabara. He might be doing good now, but Rando wouldn't hold back much longer if his battle with Hiei was any indication. "That is definitely no boy."

Shorin stared at Kuwabara, his chant continuing before his eyes flashed red, the hue illuminated by the light as they shifted to the color completely. Kuwabara shuddered before he rushed forwards, sword at the ready.

"I'm shuttin' you up boy, you're freaking me out!"

Shorin roared his challenge as Kuwabara approached, the last word of his chant clear.

"Reduction!"

A red glow shrouded Shorin, the child looking intimidating before suddenly he began to grow. The child no towered over Kuwabara like a giant, staring down at him with a smugly savage grin on his face. The child raised his foot, a grin forming on his face before Kuwabara leapt out of the way, desperately avoiding being crushed to death.

Kuwabara frowned, glancing around at his surroundings, only to see the grass. The grass.

"How did the grass get so big," Kuwabara questioned turning around before he heard shuffling. The teen turned, his eyes widening as he saw a caterpillar staring him in the face "Wait a minute. Huh! I turned into an insect!"

The shock briefly overtook Kuwabara, the teen's distraction easily allowing Shorin to grab him.

"Don't worry," Shorin stated. "You're still you, just a very small and fragile you."

Kuwabara's eyes widened, the teen trying to force his way out of Shorin's grip only to fail. His superior strength from before seemed entirely gone. Clearly this form did more than just decrease his size, but also made his strength proportional to his body. Shorin smirked as he felt the pressure, pushing back as he clenched his hands causing Kuwabara to scream as some of his ribs pushed inwards against his lungs.

"So," Shorin questioned as he grip tightened, eliciting more screams from Kuwabara. "Does this hurt?"

"There's no way he can pull out of this," Yusuke stated. "Kuwabara tell him you're backing out of the fight!"

"That just cannot be allowed," Shorin stated. "I just have to make use of this power a little first," the child said, a grin splitting his features as he continued to squeeze Kuwabara. Smirking the child slowly ripped off one of Kuwabara's sleeves, a grin on his face.

"I'm interested in the strength of the limbs after they've gotten smaller, let's do a test shall we," Shorin stated, his fingers placed on Kuwabara's elbow.

"Stop it! That's enough," Kuwabara pleaded, but Shorin didn't listen, beginning to apply pressure. Yusuke's eyes widened, as did Botan's before a red and yellow blur flashed forwards, Shorin suddenly sent flying from the force, Kuwabara being caught. Naruto suddenly appeared back in front of the duo, depositing Kuwabara in Botan's care, preparing to launch himself back at Shorin only to feel the weight of a psychic flowing over him.

"No outside interference will be allowed fishcake, are we understood!"

Naruto grunted, the crushing weight of Genkai's power washing over him. This is what needed protection? No wonder Koenma found it so valuable, but if this was what Yusuke was supposed to be protecting he didn't see the point. It didn't matter how strong Rando was. This feeling of sheer power was unlike anything he had ever seen since arriving to this dimension.

"You hit hard," Shorin stated, grunting as blood trickled down from his mouth. "I'm glad you forfeited. But if you're going to fight me..."

"No!" Genkai stated, her powers flowing over the entire field. "Restore Kuwabara back to normal! He has lost this fight due to outside interference. The finals will be dimwit versus torturer. Fishcake I will not tolerate another outburst like this, understand?"

Naruto nodded, a frown appearing on his face but not saying anything else. Shorin smirked at the blonde, the two glaring each other up and down before Naruto turned to Yusuke.

"Hey Yusuke. Kick his ass."

"Oh you bet," Yusuke stated, walking forwards with a rage on his face. Shorin merely smirked, chanting briefly before Kuwabara's body returned back to normal size. Yusuke paused to look at his friend, a terrified look on his face. "His body. It's twisted."

"His ribs too," Botan called, frowning. "I don't know if these wounds will heal."

Yusuke clenched his fists, shaking in rage as he looked down at his friend, words unable to leave his mouth. Slowly Kuwabara turned to look at the raging teen, a small smile on his face.

"Don't worry about me. I won't die. Not even if," he paused, a lance of pain shooting through his body causing him to briefly contract all of his muscles from his talking. Yusuke rushed to his side, but Kuwabara kept talking. "not even if all the bones in my body are broken." Another pause. "Remember Urameshi, we're still fighting...each..oth...".

The teen was unconscious. Yusuke frowned, his hard eyes turning soft as he felt a stinging sensation behind them. "Yeah buddy. That's right." The teen's eyes suddenly hardened as he glared back up at Shorin, the child smirking as he looked down on Kuwabara's broken form.

"I must thank you. I can't tell you how long I've wanted to use that technique on someone but it takes so much time to get the chance. It's very bothersome. That move is so complex, imagine concentrating on that while fighting fifteen people. With the word order, the intonation," Shorin shook his head before he grinned savagely at Genkai. "But with your Spirit Wave technique you can destroy a hundred people with just one simple motion of energy." Shorin suddenly took a step towards Genkai, a greed forming in his eyes. "That is right, isn't it master?"

"Yes if it's misused," she muttered, irritation creeping into her voice. She clearly was not found on what Shorin was insinuating.

The greed in Shorin's eyes instantly vanished, a child-like innocence that was easily discerned as fake taking over his features. "But of course. I would never use it that way but it's great to know the potential."

"Not so fast you freak! You have to beat me first! And in case you didn't know, I happen to be a Spirit Detective."

Shorin merely frowned, dropping into a stance as he glared at Yusuke who was now standing, his fists visibly shaking with rage.

"Why did he say that," Botan whispered to Naruto, causing the blonde to shrug.

"I mean it's only fair Shorin knows, even if he's gonna get the crap beat out of him."

"You too!" Botan cried.

"Let the final match begin! Shorin versus Yusuke!"

The two glared at each other, neither daring to move a muscle. The pregnant pause lasted for nearly a minute before green smoke began to billow around Yusuke, causing Naruto's eyes to widen.

"He has another technique?"

"No," Botan said. "His Spirit Energy, it's recovering."

"Ready," called Shorin, red energy beginning to cloak his form, leaving the two combatants wrapped in cloaks of energy. Yusuke roared, the green smoke around him intensifying before he shot forwards.

"The first one is for Kuwabara!"

Shorin's eyes widened, raising a hand up to block only for his eyes to widen as Yusuke's fist glowed a magnificent blue, smashing right through the guard and into his face, causing an explosion of power that sent the boy flying. As the boy landed Yusuke glared at him, holding his wrist.

"And I've still got 99 more! One for the life of every psychic you stole!"

Shorin stood, grunting and preparing to drop into a stance only for his eyes to widen as he felt his body reject his movement.

"What? My knees?"

Yusuke didn't bother waiting for the boy to figure out what was wrong, shooting forwards with green energy whipping around him as he slammed a punch into Shorin's stomach, keeling him over. Before the boy flew back however Yusuke grabbed him by his shoulder, launching a haymaker that cratered Shorin's face, blood flying as his nose broke and he was sent skidding backwards, forming a trench in the ground.

"No way," Shorin muttered. "His Spirit Power was only 155 but it must have increased to over 200 to make that kind of impact! He's almost as strong as that other guy!"

"Why don't you stand," Yusuke called. "I'll feel bad hitting you if you're glued to the ground."

Shorin grunted, standing and dropping to a stance, causing Yusuke to roar as he launched himself forwards, moving faster than either of the other times he had charged his opponent. Shorin's eyes widened, dropping to one knee as he swung his arms together in the shape of a cross.

"Sickle and Tornado!"

Shorin roared, leaping into the air as a green and red energy whipped around his form, creating clear circular disks around him. Yusuke's eyes widened, stopping as he looked at the child floating in the sky.

"What the? What the hell is this?"

"Of all my techniques I enjoy this the most," Shorin stated.

"I once knew a fighter who could use this attack," Genkai stated.

"Do you know everyone, ya old hag?" Naruto cried. Genkai merely ignored him.

"They could create a vacuum around themselves, causing air to violently escape them in blades that could slice through the skin."

"And with as many battle-wounds as you have Yusuke it should be very painful," Shorin muttered, the sadism in his personality quite clear. The blades shot forwards, landing on the ground with a dull thud that was audible before the ground seemed to tear itself apart as it rushed towards Yusuke. Yusuke roared, charging towards the attack only for two of the three blades to lash into his shoulders, causing him to cry out in pain, forcing him backwards. However, as the disks lost contact with his body they faded, the heavy winds disappearing.

"Did this dimwit really think he could just blindly take the attack," Genkai muttered.

Yusuke grunted, raising his head only to immediately lower it once more to avoid the third blade that went right over his head before dissipating.

"Now that's surprising, most people pass out from the pain," Shorin muttered, noticing that despite the attacks claims Yusuke had no blood on his shoulders. "Let's try again shall we?"

Shorin roared, another wave of blades carving through the ground towards Yusuke. Yusuke roared, quickly getting to his feet and charging towards Shorin once again, the dangers present in front of him either ignored or not worrying him.

"It seems your friend is a fool," Genkai muttered.

"No just mad," Botan stated.

Yusuke roared, leaping towards Shorin as he raised his arms, a light blue shroud forming around his arms and taking the blows for him. The wind passed over him, causing Shorin's eyes to widen.

"What?" was all Shorin managed to squeak out before a cross-chop by Yusuke smashed into his neck, dropping the duo to the ground. Yusuke groaned, rolling over to glance at Shorin, the boy lying on the ground unresponsive.

"I got him," Yusuke muttered, glancing down at his arms. The blue energy had dissipated, light cuts covering his arms as he did so. "He wasn't joking about the pain though. I didn't even get hit by the full force of the attack and these hurt bad."

"You managed to form a shield out of Spirit Energy," Botan stated. "I've never seen quite anything like it. It was like a second-layer of skin. It was good, especially the finishing move you used. He'll probably be out for a week!"

"Well that's what happens when you piss me off," Yusuke muttered weakly, rising to his feet. The teen turned to stare at Genkai walking towards her with a smirk on his face. "How'd you like that grandma?"

"You shouldn't have wasted your energy walking here. Your fight isn't over yet."

Yusuke blinked, tilting his head to the side in confusion only for Genkai to sigh. "Did you actually think Rando could be defeated so easily?"

"What," Yusuke muttered, and that's when he heard it. The laughter. That sickening voice. It wasn't like Hiei's. Hiei had a shred of humanity in his voice. This was different. This was the tone of a murderer, and someone who reveled in it. The difference was clear. He was not fighting a boy named Shorin, or a demon named Hiei. He was fighting a murderer.

Slowly turning Yusuke felt it. The killing intent. It washed over him like a tsunami, air briefly escaping from his lungs as the world faded to black. All he could see was Rando. The form, the terrifying form. The world began to blur, his body vibrating under the pressure. What was that? That wasn't a demon. This was a monster.

"Calm down Yusuke," Naruto called, the blonde reaching over to place a hand on Yusuke's shoulder. "Breathe. He's just like all the foes you've had to defeat before this. One more obstacle. You can put him down."

Yusuke shakily nodded, the world becoming clearer to him again as his body stopped shaking. Naruto frowned as he saw the boy mentally prepare himself. He was not ready for this challenge. He had never experienced killing intent like that before and reacted badly. Very badly. This wasn't like the Elemental Nations where you were raised in a society that was built around constant warfare, either overtly or subtly, this planet was far more peaceful. Far less deadly in terms of individuals walking around that could destroy cities. Yusuke was not prepared to fight a foe of this caliber.

Naruto was. But he didn't know if he had the firepower to deal with this threat either. But he couldn't very well just let Yusuke die.

"I'll handle him Yusuke. This isn't a fight for Genkai's training anymore this is a death match. You're inexperienced. Let me handle this."

"No," Yusuke stated, his eyes locking onto Rando. Steel glazed over his eyes and he clenched his fists, glancing back to Kuwabara. "This is my fight. I owe Kuwabara that. If I lose, then you get to kill the bastard."

Naruto frowned. He didn't like the idea, but he understood. He was much the same way. "Fine. But don't die you hear me?"

"Gotcha," Yusuke muttered, walking forwards to face Rando.

"You should have listened to your half-demon friend and the old hag kid! As she said I am a demon, which means I cannot be destroyed. And as they both likely know I am going to have to kill you for bearing witness to me true form, the only question is how I plan on torturing you all!"

Rando laughed, his crimson hair shooting upwards as the ground shattered from the weight of his energy, cracks spearing through the ground and causing the world to shake. Yusuke grunted, barely managing to keep his balance in face of the oppressive energy. He was supposed to defeat that. Was that even possible? This was a demon. How could he beat that? This was nothing like any of the other demons he had fought before. Psychic masters had tried to defeat this monsters and its presence was enough proof to show that it survived through all of that.

How would he even stand a chance?

But as much as he wanted to wait and think about a rational way he would defeat this foe Rando did not want to give it to him.

"This is always the hardest part," Rando muttered, walking towards Yusuke. He was taking his time. Enjoying this. Yusuke could tell. Rando didn't even register him as a threat on his radar, and it was probably for good reason. Rando was far above him in strength that much was obvious. Hell he was probably above even Naruto and Hiei, and those two were the strongest demons he had ever met.

"Choosing which technique to use first you see," Rando stated, smirking as he saw Yusuke collapse to a kneeling position in pain. The wounds from before were catching up to him. The child put his all into putting down his transformed form. There was no way the brat could defeat him when he was using all of his power. "Like a drooling boy in a candy store, perhaps you can give me a good suggestion?"

Yusuke glared at the demon standing above him, clenching his fists. "Shut your mouth!"

Yusuke roared his challenge, his punch flying forwards only for Rando to smirk. The demon didn't even bother to defend himself, Yusuke's punches smashing harmlessly off of his chest and face, the smirk on Rando's face deepening all the while. Yusuke roared cocking back another punch before he fired it towards Rando's face.

"And here's the kill!"

The punch collided against Rando's face, actually managing to turn it as Yusuke stumbled forwards past the demon.

"So there," Yusuke commented, turning with confidence towards the demon. Rando merely opened his eyes, glancing at Yusuke with boredom.

"This battle isn't going to last very long if only half of you can still throw a punch. Those punches had absolutely no spirit power. You've gone dry."

Rando snorted, dropping down to a stance as Yusuke glared at him. "Alright. I just thought of the perfect technique for you." Red energy flowed from Rando's body, the miasma causing the ground to rot and die around him as he locked eyes with the Spirit Detective. Suddenly Rando's eyes flashed, pure white covering them as he grinned. The demon's mouth snapped open, a thin white substance shooting from it towards Yusuke. Yusuke's eyes narrowed as the substance blew around him like a blizzard, the threads reminding him of blowing wind. Suddenly it began to wrap around the two of them, trapping them in a cage of sorts.

"What is it," Botan muttered.

"That is a Life Force Thread. An archaic form of materialized spirit energy no doubt taken from a very ancient psychic."

Rando smirked, grabbing the threads and watching as the suddenly solidified into massive white ropes each of them reaching for Yusuke. The teen tried to avoid them, but they were to fast, grabbing one of his legs and quickly ensnaring his entire body from there.

"Needless to say I could crush you in an instant," Rando muttered as Yusuke tried to break free, his grunts of effort reaching apathetic ears. "But I'd rather test my techniques. It's been such a long time."

Rando tugged and the rope glowed white, causing Yusuke's eyes to light up with pain. The teen dropped to a kneeling position that rope tightening around him.

"This stand is connected to my own energy, and no human efforts can sever it."

"Yeah I noticed," Yusuke muttered, still struggling to brute force his way out of the rope. Rando merely chuckled at his attempts. "Seems kind of boring that way."

Rando smirked, grabbing the rope and tugging towards him. "Guess I shall have to add more excitement." With a yank Yusuke was lifted from the ground, Rando spinning him before slamming him back down hard. Rando was not done after one rotation though, flinging Yusuke around before slamming him on the ground again and again, all the while chanting, "Is this better?"

Rando roared his victory as he smashed Yusuke to the ground one final town, his sadism satisfied for a brief moment. "Tell me how it feels human, I'm dying to know!" Yusuke groaned, unable to respond causing Rando to snort. "How boring," he muttered, before he began walking to the small lake in the center of the field.

Naruto grunted, flexing his muscles. It was time to intervene.

"Do not move."

Naruto's eyes snapped towards Genkai, rage on his face. "What?"

"You are not allowed to intervene. This is a fight between the two of them and the winner shall become my student."

"What the hell," Naruto hissed. "What's wrong with you lady Yusuke's about to die out there! And you would just train that demonic murderer? After he got your powers he'd kill you and who knows how many innocent people."

"You do not understand," Genkai stated, shaking her head. "Progress happens, I am powerless to stop it. It is not a story I can change. I am getting old and my powers must be carried on, even if they must be held in the hands of the wicked for a while. That is the way of the world."

Naruto snarled, glaring at the old lady. "No. Mentality like that causes war. When you see a wrong you stop it, period. You can't let it happen just because that's how the world works. Sometimes the world is wrong."

"And who are you to decide when the world is working incorrectly?"

"Someone who lives in it," Naruto snarled back.

Genkai shook her head. "The world moves forward. No one so small can make such a significant change. This battle will be decided by the two people on the field, not by you."

Naruto snarled but understood the situation he was in. If he rushed in to help Yusuke Genkai would immediately stop him, and he had no doubt of her capabilities. She was beyond him, even in her old age. That was also how he knew that she was beyond Rando. She could stop him right here and now. But maybe that was her plan? If Rando won maybe she wouldn't teach him anything and just kill the demon? That didn't line up with her words, but it was a possibility.

But then why let Yusuke die? It didn't make sense.

The blonde didn't have time to continue pondering his decision as Rando threw Yusuke, the teen tied upside down on a tree branch by the threads. Rando laughed.

"You see? It's amazing how indestructible these threads are! So how do you feel?"

Yusuke snarled, glaring at Rando. "Why do you keep asking I'm hanging upside down from a tree take a guess you freak!"

"Hostile," Rando mocked, feigning worry. "No we're not there yet." The demon clasped his hands together, beginning to chant once more. Yusuke stared at the demon, the chant continuing for a while, clearly too long to be used in the organic flow of a fight. Something big was coming.

"Why do I get the feeling he's not just doing that to be cute."

That was when Yusuke saw it. The water rippling as air bubbles burst on the surface, as though something resided within them. Yusuke's eyes widened. Was he summoning something to eat him? Suddenly a shadow emerged on the surface of the water, before a giant fish with five eyes leapt from the water, its giant mouth barely missing Yusuke before it dove back into the lake.

Yusuke's eyes widened as he glanced back down, more shadows moving underneath the surface of the lake.

"What the hell are those?"

"I brought them from the depths of Spirit World. They're called Hate Fish. And they're very hungry. But enough about them," Rando said, raising his pointer finger towards Yusuke. "They're just insurance. I wanna talk about something I learned not too long ago. The Spirit Gun."

Yusuke's eyes widened, fear crossing his eyes.

"What?" Botan called. "How can he?"

Naruto snarled, red energy flickering about him as his tail whipped back and forth. Genkai be damned he was not just going to let Yusuke die! Naruto began to move only for Genkai's crushing weight to hit him again, dropping him to his knees.

"Damn...it..." Naruto muttered.

"Die!" Rando roared, the red energy coalescing at his finger tips firing in a massive blast. Yusuke's eyes snapped shut, prepared for the worst only them to open not too long after. A light sting on his cheek. That was all he felt. The teen glanced around, before he heard a massive rumble, a tree falling to the ground not far from him. Rando smirked.

"This attack has more kick that I thought. I'm going to have to aim a little better next time. This time I won't miss. Now die."

Yusuke's eyes widened as the blast shot forwards just as the branch above him snapped, the teen falling towards the water. No matter what he was doomed. If the attack missed the fish ate him, and if the fish didn't eat him...well he was likely atomized by the attack. A scream escaped the teens lips, the fear of death for the second time flashing in his eyes. Yusuke roared just before his body hit the water.

"This is dumb!"

Rando smirked as he looked at the lake, the fish all diving in after Yusuke. "Yes. Eat all you want my precious Hate Fish."

'Hate fish,' Yusuke thought as the creatures swam towards him, water almost moving out of the way of the creatures as though they were repugnant to it. 'What a stupid name.'

"At least pull him from the water," Botan cried, looking at Genkai only for the old lady to grunt. She was not focused on the Shinigami next to her, no the demon that still tried to resist her was taking the majority of her attention. He was stronger than she thought. Not strong enough to break out from her grip, but strong nonetheless. However, her concentration faltered for a brief moment as she saw a light blue orb shoot towards the pool, the orb clearly looking for Yusuke. Naruto took advantage, surging forwards only for him to collapse a step later as Genkai refocused on him.

'The human.'

Rando's eyes widened as the orb surged into the lake, frowning. "A soul?"

The Hate Fish's mouths snapped open, eager to take their first bite of the food only for the soul to race forwards and collide with Yusuke, a bright flash of energy surging through the lake. The Hate Fish cried out, swimming away from the surging light Yusuke was surrounded in.

"Urameshi...hey I'm talkin to you!"

Yusuke grunted, opening his eyes to see Kuwabara standing before him, a white expanse surrounding the duo. "So are you giving up already? Ah man you're such a freakin' disgrace. I can't believe I spent so much time trying to defeat such a coward. Now get up there and fight!"

"I can't even move," Yusuke snapped back, only for Kuwabara to shake his head and point at the teen.

"Lame excuse! You're only stuck because you can't see your own energy! You're an idiot!"

"Hey," Yusuke called. "Watch it!"

"Go ahead and die with your tail between your legs! Maybe they'll make me a Spirit Detective because I'm not such a wuss!"

Yusuke snarled at Kuwabara, prepared to fire back only for his eyes to widen as the expanse before them faded, revealing the Hate Fish once more circling him in the water. Yusuke's eyes widened before he glared back at the fish, his body glowing with blue energy as he pushed against his bindings once more, this time successfully stretching them. But they just wouldn't break.

'Don't tell me what to do...'

Blue energy exploded from Yusuke's body as the bindings began to rip, the teens muscles bulging.

'Kuwabara! This is my job!'

Yusuke roared his challenge, his spirit energy shooting forwards throughout the entire lake. Rando's eyes narrowed as he saw the surface of the pool light up with blue and white energy. The water suddenly surged, exploding upwards in a deluge, soaking the demon.

"That's Yusuke's energy," Botan muttered.

Genkai could only smirk at the claim. That much was obvious.

"Heh," Kuwabara grunted out. "I knew it was a good insult."

"He's conscious," Naruto muttered, glancing back at Kuwabara.

Rando frowned, glancing around at the area around him, looking for Yusuke. The bloody pieces of Hate Fish scattered around the area meant nothing to him. They weren't particularly strong creatures if they were fought in a head on battle. He could defeat entire swarms of them with ease. But was the human really that strong? But that spirit power...

"No," Rando stated. "That spirit power couldn't have come from that boy. His crippled friend must have transferred the last of his energy to him! Oh well, it matters not. Just more time to practice my favorite techniques."

Rando smirked, raising a finger with red energy swirling around it. "Though! I still love the idea of killing you with your own attack! Now come out!"

The lake was silent, eerily so. Not even the water rippled on its surface. Nothing moved.

"Yusuke," Botan muttered. "You will have to breathe soon."

Suddenly bubbles began to appear on the surface of the lake, causing Rando to smirk. Without hesitation the demon pointed towards the area firing the attack at it and causing a massive splash of water to surge onto the ground.

"Funny thing about swamps!"

Rando turned, surprise etched on his face. A pool of water behind the man exploded upwards, Yusuke appearing in the air with his finger pointed directly at the demon.

"They're just always connected to another one!"

"Don't talk Yusuke, just shoot him," Botan cried.

"And as for my Spirit Gun Technique...you're doing it all wrong!"

Blue energy swirled around Yusuke, coalescing at the tip of his finger as he glared at Rando. Rando snarled, pointing his finger at Yusuke, red energy swirling around it.

"You hold too much back!"

The two snarled at each other as red and blue energy shot forth, colliding in midair as the two shouted their attacks. "Spirit Gun!"

The two attacks crackled like electricity only for a sudden blue light to erupt outwards, the center of the red spirit gun ripping open as the blue spirit gun shot forwards. Rando's eyes widened. The blast collided with his chest, causing him to cry out in pain as he was sent flying. The blast exploded in a bright blue light, Rando flying over the swamp before he fell in it, completely unresponsive.

Yusuke grunted as he landed, falling to his knees immediately, the teen holding his wrist in pain. The teen smirked nonetheless.

"Sure you can use it more than once, but you lose the good old stopping power."

"Do you still think I'm a fool for not taking him out of the fight?"

"Yes," Naruto muttered, causing him to groan as Genkai blasted him with another wave of her powers. Naruto grunted, a smirk forming on his face. Everyone's eyes widened however as the swamp water began to react violently, bubbles bursting across the surface as though it was boiling.

"Oh no," Yusuke muttered. "Please be dead because I don't have anything left. Give me a break."

Suddenly the bubbles broke, creating a hole in the water that energy shot out of, the sound filling the area. The hole only widened as the energy expanded, blowing the water towards the edge of the swamp and onto the ground. Slowly the energy intensified, the water beginning to boil until the entire swamp was gone, steam covering the area. Rando stood at the bottom of the swamp, red energy covering his body.

"You have caused me pain," Rando muttered before leaping out of the pit. "I do not like that."

Yusuke's eyes widened before Rando shot forwards, a punch cracking across his face sending him sprawling to the ground. Rando immediately picked him out, launching a kick that bent him over before launching a axe handle that forced Yusuke's head back to the ground with an audible CRACK.

"This boys attack injured me more than I thought. I barely have the energy to destroy him."

Yusuke grunted, sprawling on the ground. The teen glared up at Rando. "Even though it looks like I can't move right now, I'm very dangerous."

Rando snorted. "There's no point in either of us bluffing now. Both our bodies are exhausted, and our spirits are weak. But I'll still succeed, because I can reduce your body and crush your puny bones like I did with your ridiculous friend!"

As Rando clasped his hands together Genkai's eyes narrowed. Naruto grunted, trying to move but still found himself unable to. Once more Rando began his chant, only this time faster than before, likely due to his inability to control the energy properly in his tired state. The demon roared.

Yusuke grunted, his vision blurry. 'He must have hit me hard. I can barely hear him.'

"Reduction!"

Rando laughed. "Soon the world will be a much bigger place for you! And you will be afraid! I will make certain of that, even if it means ripping apart your fingers one by one!"

Rando's laugh echoed throughout the area, even as the trees around him grew larger and larger by each passing second until eventually he realized it. Yusuke was not shrinking. He was.

"You're the slave of your own technique," Genkai muttered, approaching the duo. Botan followed warily behind the psychic. "It is physical law that the imbalance of magic created by that technique must be relieved. If there's no victim then the user...well...you see."

"Are you blind!" Rando roared, not quite caring the status of who he was talking to. "That boy was clearly my victim!"

"Yes," Genkai muttered. "But his body must know that. As with any spoken chant the victim is affected only by hearing it. In this way it enters the brain and reprograms the cells. All any reasonable intelligent fighter has to do is cover his ears."

"But if I didn't know it then how could he?"

"He didn't, but so many head shots piled up on one another clearly affected him. Along with," Genkai reached down into Yusuke's ears causing the teen to freak out and bat her hand away before he saw up. Genkai snorted, raising her hand to reveal a strange moss.

"Swamp algae was in his ear."

"Swamp algae!"

"You know the mechanics of your stolen techniques, but without training you'll never know how to use them."

"Shut up hag!" Rando roared. "All I have to do is reverse the chant and-"

"And who the hell says I'm gonna let you do that," Yusuke stated, standing on two feet once more.

"You don't have the energy to punch me," Rando muttered confidently. Yusuke smirked.

"Yeah you're right, but I guess we can let gravity do the rest now can't we?"

Rando's eyes widened the demon trying to run from Yusuke's unconventional falling elbow but he was to slow and couldn't move fast enough. The blow landed squarely on his back, causing him to cry out in pain as his spine snapped.

"And that boys and girls," Yusuke muttered as he rolled over. "Is my Super Elbow Drop," he muttered before he fell unconscious.

Genkai snorted, shaking her head. "Winner of the Genkai Tournament, Yusuke Urameshi!"

"Yay!" Botan cried, throwing her hands up in the air. Naruto grunted, getting to his feet as Genkai finally released him from his psychic prison.

"He didn't need my help."

"I told you."

"Shut up."

"In the meantime," Genkai muttered. "I'll heal the jock," she muttered, walking over to Kuwabara. Botan nodded, glancing at Naruto.

"I should take Rando back to Spirit World before he wakes up. Can you watch over Yusuke for me?"

"Yeah sure it's not a problem," Naruto muttered. "I'll protect him from this hag! Believe it!"

"Fishcake if I wanted to kill you you'd be dead already," Genkai muttered.

"It means maelstrom!"

"Yeah sure it does."