AN: Happy New Year to all my readers! I wish you all a healthy and fortunate year. I hope everyone sticks to their New Year's Resolution and I'm happy to share mine. This year my resolution is to be kinder and more tolerant (not in a racist way, mind you, but more tolerant in the manner of letting stupid things roll of my shoulders a lot smoother and not let it affect me). In reflection of my personal life in 2016, I had gone through a lot of changes, most were not good changes. I'm embarrassed to say that the bad outweighed the good most of the time and it caused a lot of stress moments of depression. So this year my goal is to focus on the good and to personally be kind to everyone because I personally feel much better in a small way when a random stranger gives me a simple smile and a nod on the street as we pass each other.
I would like to make a special shout-out to suntan140. You have been a very dedicated reader to my stories and I can't express how happy it makes me when I see your reviews for each chapter I post. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
Thank you to all my other readers, as well. Seeing the traffic poll for my stories go up everyday makes me feel like I'm doing something worthwhile.
Chapter Two
"Did you hear? That Urameshi kid that came back from the dead is now Genkai-sama's student."
"Really? I wonder what changed Genkai-sama's mind? She never takes on students. It's rumored that she even turned away the Yondaime when he was young."
All day Neji overheard shinobis whispering about the latest gossip of Yusuke's latest ventures while he walked down the streets of Konoha with his teammates, all three young teenagers heading up to the training fields. Of course, they didn't really have to; Neji was planning on going without the other two anyhow. Hearing about people talk about Yusuke becoming the student of the legendary Genkai irked him to no end.
It had been only a few days since Yusuke returned from her training with the renowned Genkai. It had been eight months since she came back from the dead. The mystery surrounding Yusuke's miracle revival had spread many rumors. The best one had to be that Yusuke had made a pact with the devil and was tasked with bringing him fresh souls from her missions. Of course all of which were wrong and only Neji and Yusuke knew the truth to her return. In between her resurrection to current events, Neji would occasionally see Yusuke leaving the village by herself with just a backpack and then return looking rough and haggard, sometimes walking with a limp. Once, he saw Yusuke returning to the village with Shuiichi-sempai, both looking worse for wear. Neji will never know why they were together (not that he cared).
It was mid-afternoon, and coming up to the pre-school where all the children go before heading up to the academy. In short, it was more of a daycare for children under the academy age.
"Hey look, is that Yuu-chan?" asked Tenten, pointing towards the school gate. Neji and Lee looked up and both confirmed that, yes, it was Yusuke.
But she seemed more like she was waiting for someone, due to her lax posture. Beside her stood Kuwabara, his orange hair made it rather hard to miss. Both were bickering over something unimportant.
"Looks like they're picking up someone." said Lee.
"It's probably Yuu-chan's little sister, she goes to this school." said Tenten, just as a little girl with bouncy black hair skipped out from the gates, and hugged Yusuke's legs, causing the older girl to fall on her rear.
"Kimiko, let go!" Yusuke said, prying the little girl's arms away from her legs.
"But I missed nee-chan!" Kimiko said, as she latched onto Yusuke's right leg once the genin was back on her feet again. Kuwabara was snickering behind his hand.
"Geez, Urameshi, you can fight off stray youkai but not a little girl?" Kuwabara teased.
"Bite me," Yusuke snapped, as she pulled Kimiko off her leg again, and took her hand.
"Yuu-chan, how are you?" Tenten called out, as she and her team walked up to their fellow genins.
"Hey, Tenten, what are you doing in this part of the village?" Yusuke asked.
"We were just heading up to the training grounds." Tenten replied.
"Is that so?" Yusuke inquired.
"Nee-chan, nee-chan." Kimiko said, pulling at Yusuke's hand. Yusuke looked down at the small girl. "Nee-chan, I'm hungwee."
"Right," Yusuke said, as she looked back up at Team Gai. "Love to stick around and chat, but the squirt says she's hungry. I'll see you guys around."
Yusuke moved passed them, pulling Kimiko along with Kuwabara following after them but stopped as a girl with blue hair and pink eyes appeared seemingly out of nowhere. Gone was the pink kimono and instead was a basic pair of pink shorts, white shirt and yellow jacket.
"Sorry, Yuu-chan, but we have a bit of a crisis on our hands." said the blue haired girl.
"B-Botan?!" Yusuke stuttered from surprise. "What are you doing here?"
"Hey, it's the pretty girl!" said Kuwabara, making Yusuke falter a bit with a string of annoyance.
"Wait, if you're here, that means…" Yusuke trailed off.
"That's right, Yuu-chan, Koenma-sama has another urgent mission for his number one Spirit Detective!" said Botan in a cheery manner.
"Give me a friggin' break! If you haven't noticed I just got back from baa-chan's evil boot camp. Come back in another two years." Yusuke said bitterly.
"What's going on, Yusuke-san?" Lee asked. Yusuke spun around as she stuttered with a lie of an explanation which seemed to be failing miserably much to her dismay (in truth she forgot about them).
"Fine, Yuu-chan, then I guess you don't care that the humans are being turned into zombies?" said Botan.
"Does that question have a point?" Yusuke asked dryly as she turned around to face the blue haired shinigami.
"Oh I just knew you'd take it!" Botan said, as she dug into her jacket and pulled out a small jar with a worm-like insect inside. "This is called a Makai Insect."
The five genins looked at the insect curiously.
"I don't see anything in that jar." Tenten said.
"Me neither." said Lee. Neji remained silent as he was able to see a faint outline of the insect.
"Oh, and just who are you three?" Botan asked, just now noticing Neji and his teammates.
"They're locals," Yusuke said, "You got a point to what I'm getting myself into, or did you pick up the hobby of collecting bugs?"
"Well you don't have to be so snippy with me!" Botan said. "These insects come from the dark parts of Reikai; they can burrow into humans and bring out their cruelest nature. At the moment, they like to bury themselves in depressed people. So far, I've only caught five of them."
"So what, you want me to go around the village looking for depressed people?" Yusuke asked.
"Seems like a waste of time." said Kuwabara.
"Well no, not exactly. Koenma-sama was given a message the other day from the Four Saint Beasts, demanding immediate immigration into ningenkai." said Botan.
"I don't see what all the fuss is about. If Koenma's in charge then why can't he just turn their request down? And who are these stupid Saint Beasts?" Yusuke said with impatience.
"We'd like to know that, too." said Neji, with Tenten and Lee nodding in agreement.
"I'm not sure I should be telling you three about all this." Botan said with a thoughtful, but concerned look on her face.
"Just tell us." Yusuke said.
"All right," Botan sighed, feeling a bit uneasy about telling outsiders. "They are four of the most notorious criminals in all of Reikai. The title 'Saint' was given to them by their followers. Years ago they were chased by a coalition of pursuers, and evaded capture by locking themselves in a booby-trapped fortress. Since then a whole city was formed at its base, filled with vile crooks who viewed these beasts like gods. The City of Ghosts and Apparitions." Botan said.
"I just got chills just hearing about it, and I'm not sure what's going on." said Tenten.
"Right, about these insects again, I'm not quite getting it." Yusuke said.
"These insects, as I've explained, are called Makai Insects, a parasite from the darker parts of Reikai. They bury themselves under the skin and then nurture a person's primal desire. Minds occupied by this parasite develop a need for destruction, physical power, and murder…It will be a disaster." said Botan.
"Can't we tell people? I mean, there's gotta be a cure." said Lee.
"There is…But ordinary people can't see the insects. The inflicted will be seen as merely psychotic, and I'm afraid a cure will not be the first priority on the human mind." said Botan.
"Then what the hell are we supposed to do?" Yusuke asked. Botan had dropped the jar containing the insect to cover Kimiko's ears. The jar smashing on the street, setting the insect free.
"Yusu! How irresponsible of you! Using such language around your little sister! I'm surprised she hasn't caught your foul mouth yet!" Botan said.
"For crying out loud! She's only four!" Yusuke said.
"How are we supposed to stop this epidemic from happening?" Neji spoke up, breaking the two girls from their bickering. Botan stood up straight, removing her hands from Kimiko's ears.
"The only way to rescue this village is to kill the Makai Insects, and the only way to do that is by destroying the whistle, which the enemies possess." said Botan.
"A whistle?" said Tenten.
"Without the whistle's sustaining frequency, the insects can't live outside of Reikai." said Botan.
"So, how long do we have before these beasts leave their castle and come to Earth themselves?" Yusuke asked.
"At this point they can't." Botan said.
"Elaborate for us." said Neji.
"Again, I really shouldn't be giving out such classified information to ordinary humans such as you three. No hard feelings—" Botan was then cut off by Yusuke.
"Just tell us the reason." Botan gave a heated glare at Yusuke before continuing.
"For years we had them trapped inside the city with a barrier wall. Now, with this threat of insect invasion, they hope to force us to open the barrier."
"I see. So they give us the whistle if you open up the wall." said Yusuke.
"Instead we'll make a small breach in the wall to let you in. Eventually they'll find this hole themselves." said Botan.
"And what if I'm not able to beat them?" Yusuke asked.
"I don't think I have to tell you what would happen if all the demons from that city were unleashed on Earth." said Botan darkly.
Hearing all this, Neji could only imagine Konoha crumbling down to ruins, with him standing among the rubble.
"I have to be honest, Botan. This takes the record for confusing." said Yusuke.
"Yes, just try and remember the basics: You're good and that entire city is bad. Destroy the whistle and defeat the beasts and the case will be closed." said Botan.
"Okay, but I just can't believe Koenma expects me to take on a whole friggin' city of youkai alone. Don't they send teams out for this kind of thing?" Yusuke said with distress in her voice.
"What about me, Urameshi?" Kuwabara asked. Both Yusuke and Botan stared blankly at Kuwabara for a moment.
"Oh, Kuwabara! There's no such thing as youkai! Yusu and I were just joking!" Botan lied, as she nervously laughed.
"You forget, we've been listening in as well." said Neji.
"Look I'm not dumb. Or blind." Kuwabara said, snatching the insect that was making its escape, and crushing it in his fist. "We all know I can see supernatural stuff a whole lot better than Urameshi. And I'm not gonna sit around my house while Urameshi doesn't see things and lets big monsters and insects take over my village! 'Cause I'm Kuwabara and in case you guys forgot. I've got a sword!"
Everyone sweat-dropped.
"Well, Yuu-chan, I guess there's no point in arguing with the eager." Botan said, feeling rather awkward standing near Kuwabara.
"You're an idiot, Kuwabara." Yusuke all but stated bluntly.
Neji was now somehow beginning to understand why, after returning from the dead, Yusuke had suddenly changed. Going off on secret missions, returning with more than ordinary wounds, and why she seemed to be getting stronger at a rapid pace. It had to do with what the blue haired girl was saying—Yusuke was some kind of youkai hunter.
"Banging on the floor of random storage houses; sounds like fun to me." said Yusuke, as she stood by Kuwabara, while Botan was gently banging on the floor.
Neji and Lee had followed Yusuke to the storage house. Tenten had volunteered to take little Kimiko home while they went off at a different direction.
"Yusuke, care to explain to us about what exactly is going on?" Neji said, his voice as stoic as ever.
"Y'know, you didn't exactly have to come here in the first place." Yusuke said, ignoring Neji's question.
"Might as well tell them, Yusu-chan, seeing as they have the right to know now." said Botan as she continued pounding on the floor.
"Fine. As you can probably guess, after I came back from the dead, I was appointed as Spirit Detective of Earth. Now my senses are sharper, and I have to fight monsters all the time. Botan's my assistant, though not a very good one, but at least she gives me the heads up about my missions. Plus, I get cool powers along with my job, that's why I was gone for six months, because I was going under training to pump up my Reiki. Of course, after going through that hell it'd be really appreciated if I got a vacation."
"Does the Hokage know about this?" Lee asked.
"Yeah…Why?" Yusuke asked.
"A genin like you and I, taking on solo missions is considered suicide." said Lee.
"Technically, due to all the special training and cases, Yuu-chan isn't really considered a genin anymore." said Botan. "In likeness, Yuu-chan is very close to being classified in the jounin level now, maybe higher."
"What?! I didn't know that!" said both Yusuke and Kuwabara.
Higher than a Jounin level? This only ticked Neji off even more. Forget about being the genius to beat in his class, when measured up to Yusuke now, he'd be overshadowed by her strength alone. He had to get stronger—fast!
"I didn't expect to see so many people in here." came a smooth voice. Everyone turned around to see two more people entering the storage room. One of whom Neji recognized as the graduate from the class two years before his. The other, he did not recognize.
"Well, well, well! The thieves!" said Yusuke.
Thieves? Minamino Shuichi is a thief? Never did Neji think that his senior would stoop so low.
"Hello." greeted the handsome red head, Minamino Shuichi (a.k.a. Kurama).
"Well, what are you guys doing here?" Yusuke asked, the familiarity not lost on Neji.
"Even that fool Koenma knew it would take more than human power to kill the Saint Beasts." said the short man in black, his crimson eyes rather piercing and showing a killer's thirst for blood.
"By aiding in this mission, Koenma-sama has assured us we can clean our slates in Reikai." said Kurama.
"I guess Koenma heard me complaining. Hey, let me introduce you to these guys. That's Hiei, and his name's Kurama." Yusuke said.
"A pleasure." greeted Kurama.
"Yusuke, we've already met Shuichi-senpai." Neji said.
"Huh? Really?" Yusuke asked, "Oh—you're right, back at the academy during that class competition thing!"
"Well I don't have a clue what's going on, but it sure is nice to have a helping hand!" said Kuwabara.
"Helping is not the right word. Koenma may regard us as equals but I do not. Once inside the castle I suggest you let us do the work. As far as I'm concerned, we're baby sitting." said Hiei.
Cocky, for someone his size. Neji thought.
"Listen you puny jerk-face, I'm gonna have to beat you up if you keep talking down to us that way!" said Kuwabara, finding Hiei to be very irritating to him.
"Let's avoid fighting. You're not worth it." said Hiei. Neji could agree with him there.
"Oh that's it!" Kuwabara swung a fist at Hiei, but missed as the little demon stepped forward too quickly as Kuwabara fell forward onto the dusty floor. Hiei was standing in front of Yusuke, looking up at her intensely.
"But you, Detective; are a different story. I plan to take my revenge on you, so consider this fair warning!" Hiei said, with a slight glint in his crimson eyes.
Revenge? What has Yusuke been doing on her classified missions?
"You wanna ignore me, huh?" Kuwabara shouted as he took another swing at him, only to miss again and fall on his face once more as Hiei swiftly returned to his original spot beside Kurama.
"Hiei, we must face this current business before you start your own." said Kurama.
"Don't worry, three-eyes; if we survive this I'll be glad to take you on! Now is this a perfect team or what?" Yusuke said with glee.
"Oh, where is it? They were supposed to put the breach in the barrier here somewhere." Botan said, just as a trap door snapped open. "Bingo." Lifting up the door, a portal of swirling green mist was revealed. The four genins looked down into the swirling green mass while the two demons stood back.
"You are gonna give us a rope ladder or something, right?" Yusuke asked.
"No, jumping down should land you safely on the outer bank of the city." said Botan, as she looked up at Kuwabara. "You know you don't have to go through with this if you don't want to. No one will hold it against you."
"Oh, okay! Good bye!" Yusuke said, as she was about to walk off, but was then tripped by Botan, who stuck out her leg.
"Not you! The Spirit Detective doesn't have a choice in this. Kuwabara does." she said.
"And what about Neji and Lee, huh? Do they have a choice?" Yusuke asked, rubbing her chin.
"They're going to stay here with me in Konoha. They'll be of more use here, they can help me hunt down the people possessed by the insects." said Botan.
"Don't worry about me, I sort of feel like a Spirit Detective myself now. And as Spirit Detectives there's no turning back!" Kuwabara said, as he boldly jumped into the portal. Everyone gasped in surprise as they looked down into the green swirl of mist.
"He really jumped." said Botan.
"Fool." Hiei breathed.
"Maybe he'll be okay alone." Yusuke said, earning another glare from Botan. "Okay, okay!" she said, preparing to jump in herself.
"Not yet!" Botan said, as she reached into her jacket again and pulled out a compact. "Here! I'm supposed to give you this Communication Mirror!"
"Jeez!" Yusuke hissed, snatching the compact from Botan. "You nearly forgot to give me this thing? Let me guess—without it I'd probably be killed!"
"No, it's not a weapon, it's just a Communication Mirror, so I can keep in contact with you while you're on the other side." said Botan.
"Yeah, yeah, leave me on my own while you go do other things…Oh no!" Yusuke said.
"What's the matter now, Yuu-chan?" Botan asked.
"Kaa-san! I bet she's totally pissed that I've gone and disappeared again! Hey Botan, tell you what, why don't you go take care of things with her and I'll go down here." Yusuke said as she hastily jumped into the portal. Both Hiei and Kurama following quickly after her as Botan looked into the portal.
"Now wait! Yusuke! I don't want to do that!" Botan called down. "You brat!" Botan yelled, before closing the trap door with a snap. Giving an irritated sigh she looked at the two boys. "C'mon, we should start the search now."
The city of Ghosts and Apparitions; and in the center of this horrific city is Maze Castle, where the Four Saint Beasts hide. The sky was a deep red as lightening storms occurred. With another flash of lightening, Yusuke and Kuwabara appeared in the air, and fell to the dead ground.
"Oh damn." Yusuke said, rubbing her jaw as she looked up at the city. "Well, guess this is the place."
Both Yusuke and Kuwabara stood up, about to head for the city when they were greeted by hooded creatures coming from under the crust of the ground. Hissing and bearing their claws.
"Yes, we've found a treat!" one hissed, as more popped out of the ground by the dozens, surrounding Yusuke and Kuwabara.
"What are those things?" Kuwabara asked.
"I'm not exactly sure, but they're not friendly." said Yusuke.
"We will dig in." hissed another as they began launching themselves at Yusuke and Kuwabara.
The two teens fought as best they could to prevent themselves from being eaten. Hitting, kicking, and throwing the hooded creatures away from them until it began to get difficult.
"Urameshi! There's too many of 'em! And I'm not sure but I think they want to eat me!" Kuwabara screamed as he was trapped by a mob of the hooded creatures pulling him to the ground.
"I'm coming!" Yusuke shouted, but was soon jumped by the hooded creatures as well as they all clung to her arms, legs, and hair. "This is gonna be pretty lame if we get killed before we reach the stupid castle!"
Another flash of lightening lit the sky as a portal opened and two lights came floating down, flashing a bright light of their own. The two lights floated up to a giant tree and flashed so brightly that it frightened the hooded creatures away back into their holes. As soon as the light was gone, Yusuke and Kuwabara stood up.
"Are you both all right?" Kurama asked as he and Hiei jumped down from the tree and landed in front of the other two.
"Yeah, thanks for the help." Yusuke said.
The four made their way to the entrance to the castle, Yusuke's team stood outside in front of it, looking up.
"Wow, now this place is homey." said Yusuke.
"So I guess we're just gonna walk right in?" asked Kuwabara.
"Any prize that's worth having usually requires a risk." said Kurama.
"I say we make 'em come out here and fight us up front like they're not sissies!" said Kuwabara.
"Your sense of strategy is amazing." said Hiei.
"Are you talkin' to me, runt-boy?!" asked Kuwabara.
"Let's go." Yusuke said through gritted teeth as she kept her temper and walked in.
"Stupid dwarf." Kuwabara muttered as he followed Yusuke, along with Kurama and Hiei.
Walking down the corridor of stone they were almost to the end when a giant eye with bat wings blocked their way. "Welcome to Maze Castle." it said.
"Whoa, it talked!" said Kuwabara.
"Those who enter Maze Castle must be tried by the Gate of Betrayal."
"What do you mean tried?" asked Yusuke. The eye flew back to the end of the tunnel to a wall, revealing a lever. It pulled the lever with a hanging tentacle, and the corridor began to shake. The sound of gears and chains clanking together was heard.
"Urameshi...Why did you have to ask?" asked Kuwabara, as a nervous feeling began to churn in his stomach. Kurama heard something sliding and looked up.
"The ceiling!" he warned, and the ceiling came sliding down with great force. Luckily all four were able to catch it, and hold it up with their arms and shoulders, the weight beginning to already strain their muscles and joints.
"Heavy, isn't it? Sensors in the corridor are most intelligent, and a complex assembly of gears adapts the ceiling's weight precisely to the strength of its victims. Of course, there is a catch. Just enough lee-way remains for one person to escape, leaving their friends to be crushed by the weight."
"Dammit!" Yusuke spat out.
"But decisions must be made quickly. Not even the four of you combined can hold the ceiling for long. Insist on teamwork, and everyone will be crushed. Only by turning against your friends will one of you be able to escape. Only the traitor among you deserves to enter Maze Castle. That's why it's called the Gate of Betrayal you see?"
"Boy I'd like to get my hands on that bat-thing!" Kuwabara said, losing his focus on the weight, making the ceiling much heavier and the other three grunting from the weight.
"Stay focused or you'll kill us all!" Hiei shouted.
"Oh sure blame me! I bet I'm holding up a lot more weight than you are!" Kuwabara shouted back.
"Shut it, Kuwabara!" Yusuke bit out.
"Well I'm not about to die for the sake of you worthless humans!" said Hiei.
"Don't you even consider it, Hiei!" said Kurama.
"Oh man, I knew we should have played some trust games." Yusuke said, as the weight seemed to be getting heavier. How can this unwilling troupe of fighters survive such an impossible trap! As the thought of who would be the traitor looms over their heads.
"This has always been my favorite part of the trial. Watching the way you squirm as your muscles begin to pop and tear under the ceiling's weight. But of course, the best is your eyes. Seeing the gears of thought turn in desperation, thinking, questioning yourself. How long can I hold this? Will I die this way? Will one friend betray us and escape while we flatten? Or should I be the one?" Taunted the flying eye.
"Just ignore that punk! Stick together! And if anybody tries to run I swear I'll drag them back myself!" said Kuwabara.
"And I suppose you think it'd be noble if we all died as a team." said Hiei.
"That's right!" said Kuwabara.
"Here's a thought. Let's shut up and find a way out!" Yusuke said. She looked over at the flying eye, and just beyond it she saw the lever. If we could just find a way to that switch. She thought. "Hiei! You're a lot faster than any of us! We'll hold the ceiling up while you go and flip the switch."
"You crazy? We can't trust that guy! Just look! He doesn't care at all about us!" shouted Kuwabara.
"Your ugly friend has a good point, Detective." said Hiei.
"Who's ugly? Come here you mouse!" shouted Kuwabara.
"Are you sure you want to trust me? I've already vowed my revenge on you. Maybe I'll handle that now." said Hiei.
"Yeah but I don't think quick deaths are your style." Yusuke said, as her outline began to glow red. "I'll let out all the reiki I have left to buy us a little time while you run to the switch. Just don't trip. I trust you. Now go!" Hiei took no time to hesitate as he used his incredible speed, and in a blink of an eye, he was standing before the switch. Reaching out, he suddenly stopped, as a second thought occurred. Looking back at the other three still trapped under the weight of the ceiling, he began to doubt this decision.
"What's the deal?! Pull the stupid switch already!" Kuwabara shouted, as the ceiling forced him, Yusuke and Kurama down to their knees.
"There is no need to make snap judgments, my friend. What have they ever done for you? Leave them, and you can come with me into the castle. With the invasion of Earth, the Four Saint Beasts will control the future. Be smart. Join us. Perhaps you can be the General of our demon army."
"Don't you dare you creep! If it hadn't been for our help you'd still be here screaming with the rest of us!" Kuwabara shouted. Hiei pulled his hand away from the lever and laughed to himself. "What are you laughing about?!"
"Take a guess, you fool." said Hiei.
"Damn you!" Kuwabara bit out.
"Yes, you find amusement in their pain. Now imagine the satisfaction that will come from their final screams." laughed the flying eye. "A wise choice. The boulder would have crushed you anyway." Hiei turned to the flying eye as he unsheathed his sword and sliced the eye.
"Thanks for the clue!" he said, as he flipped the switch, stopping the ceiling from crushing the team.
"He came through!" Yusuke said, feeling the ceiling no longer coming down. But their smiles were erased as a boulder came crashing down on Hiei. The three of them crawled out from under the ceiling to see that Hiei was still alive.
"Tell your masters...This is their chance to beg for mercy." said Hiei, as the wounded eye flew away. Yusuke slumped her shoulders as she breathed in relief.
"Hey, are you all right?" Kuwabara asked, putting a hand to her back in an attempt of comfort.
"Oh yeah, I just can't feel my arms right now." Yusuke said as she stood up straight again. "I knew you'd save us! Ya punk! But you did have me worried! Hell of an actor. Ya know not everyone can pretend to laugh at their dying friends."
"Friends are just a crutch for the weak. And I wasn't acting." said Hiei.
"Say what?" said Kuwabara.
"Don't confuse it. The only reason I saved you was because I might need your help." said Hiei as he walked ahead of the group.
"It's his way of saying you're welcome. You will learn." said Kurama.
"Right." said Yusuke.
"Well, he still ticks me off." said Kuwabara.
The four teens walked through the castle, searching for the Saint Beasts. The halls went from wide to narrow to vaulted ceilings to low baring ceilings. After awhile they were now somehow heading downwards, as if being lead underneath the castle itself. A ringing came from inside of Yusuke's pocket, alerting the attention of her team. Kuwabara jumped in surprise as Yusuke pulled out the object that was making the ringing noise.
"What is that thing? Is it safe?" Kuwabara asked.
"It's just the Communication Mirror that I got from Botan." Yusuke said, as she flipped it open to see Botan's face in the mirror.
"Hello Yusuke! It's Botan here in ningenkai. You copy?" Botan asked.
"Yeah! I—" Yusuke was interrupted as Kuwabara pushed Yusuke's head out of the way to look in the mirror.
"Hey what's up Botan! This is the brave Kuwabara reporting at your service. I'm taking very good care of Urameshi." said Kuwabara.
"I'm so glad to hear that! I've got things under control here as well, more or less. The Makai Insects only like to nest in depressed people's minds. That narrows down my search a bit. I've also found another spy for the Saint Beasts. I just can't figure out how they're getting past the barrier. See, I think they're demons from outside the city taking orders from along the wall." said Botan. Yusuke and Kuwabara saw the spy she was talking about coming up from behind.
"Watch out!" they both shouted. Botan merely swung her bat back, hitting the demon on the head and knocking it out once more.
"Don't worry. These guys are weaklings. The real challenge is finding those Makai Insects. I've only caught fifteen of those buggers and I've been searching for nearly an entire day!" said Botan.
"Don't worry, baby, you'll—" Kuwabara was pushed aside as Yusuke took back control of the mirror.
"Fifteen? That's not much help." said Yusuke.
"Yusuke, fighting people controlled by the insects takes time. That's why you need to get that whistle!" said Botan.
"Okay, we're trying, but this castle is kinda' rough!" said Yusuke.
"Well of course it is! No one's survived before! Hey! I see you!" Botan said, pulling out a can of bug spray and spraying it at a Makai Insect. "Nothing beats bug spray from Reikai! Botan out!"
Yusuke closed the mirror and put it back in her pocket as she and her team continued on into the castle.
"Kurama, what do you know about these Four Saint people? Botan pushed us down that hole like a couple of cows. And I didn't have a chance to ask her." said Yusuke.
"Technically you jumped in willingly." Kurama corrected before continuing. "She wouldn't have told you much I'm afraid. Ever since the barrier wall was raised around the city, Reikai Intelligence virtually forgot this place existed."
"What do you know?" Kuwabara asked.
"Let's just say that when you see their bodies you may be very surprised." said Kurama.
"Terrified. Isn't that more like it?" said a deep rumbling voice. All four of them looked forward, but saw nothing.
"Who said that?" asked Kuwabara.
"There's a door behind you. Please, take it." said the voice.
Yusuke and her team turned around to see a pair of iron doors that wasn't there before. She and Kuwabara pushed it open to see a room made entirely of stone, with a few torches lighting the room.
"Ladies first." Kuwabara said. Inside the room, it was very cold, cold enough for Yusuke to see her breath. Yusuke grabbed one of the torches and threw it across the room, letting the light show them their first opponent.
"Welcome, trespassers." it said.
"Okay I'm surprised!" said Kuwabara, seeing the monster's body was made just like the room, entirely of stone.
"I am Genbu of the Four Saint Beasts. Do you have a request before you die?" asked the stone beast.
"Yeah, tell me how a beast is a Saint. I'm lost." said Yusuke.
"This stairwell is the only way to the castle tower. You can either defeat me and go up on your own, or be dragged there once you've stopped breathing." Genbu raised his tail of stone and brought it back down like a whip, breaking a crater into the floor. "Why don't you all attack me at once? Then the last one left won't feel lonely." said Genbu.
"He's a rock, Urameshi! How are we gonna fight against a talking rock?" Kuwabara asked, clearly still surprised.
"I will fight." said Kurama, stepping forward for his team.
"Are you sure?" Yusuke asked.
"It would be ill-advised for us all to attack without first knowing his power. Besides, I can hardly let Hiei get all the credit for this mission, now can I?" said Kurama.
"You want to die one by one? I can do that too." said Genbu.
"Hey, wouldn't we be better off trying to lure him back to that drop-down ceiling or something?" Yusuke suggested.
"Obviously you are underestimating Kurama. Do you know why I chose him to be my partner? To avoid fighting him myself. Watch. He's more cutthroat than I am when it comes to battle. And unbelievably precise." said Hiei.
"I don't know guys, he's still a talking rock." said Kuwabara.
"Sir, the first move is yours." said Kurama.
Yusuke was waiting to see what Genbu would do for an attack against Kurama, when she noticed something odd about Genbu's tail. It looked as if it were sinking into the stone floor.
"Hey! Stone-man's doing something freaky with his tail!" Yusuke warned. Kurama looked behind him to see the tip of Genbu's tail flying straight for him. Jumping up to get out of the way, Genbu's tail only managed to cut across Kurama's stomach. Though the wound was not severe, it was enough to slow him down.
"Thanks to my body structure, I can become one with any type of rock. With a little rearranging, I can make any stone my tail." said Genbu.
"Yeah, we're in trouble." said Kuwabara.
"And since this whole chamber is made of stone, I have you surrounded. There's nowhere to run!"
"Oh man! Now he's wounded!" said Yusuke.
"Maybe we should help." Kuwabara suggested.
"There's no need, I've been hurt, but he will not take me by surprise again." reassured Kurama.
"Wait until you see the full extent of my power. Then you won't be so confident." said Genbu, as his body began to meld into the floor.
"He's gonna put himself into the floor." said Yusuke.
"Do something Kurama!" Kuwabara shouted as Kurama just stood where he was, as he watched Genbu meld with the stone helplessly.
"Now he could be anywhere." said Yusuke.
"I can't even sense Genbu's energy." said Kuwabara.
Kurama waited out for a hint of Genbu's presence as his eyes scanned the perimeter. Looking behind him, he saw Genbu jumping up from behind.
"Same old trick." Kurama said, as he jumped out of the way as Genbu brought down a stone fist.
"Watch for his tail!" Yusuke shouted. Genbu was ready to bring down his fist upon Kurama again, while his tail was coming in from behind.
"He's getting attacked from both sides!" said Kuwabara.
Kurama dodged the first attack, which was Genbu's fist, and then dodged the second attack, which was the tail. Landing skillfully back on the floor, only to see that Genbu had already melded back into the stone again.
"Where'd that freak go now?" Kuwabara asked, looking around the room. Kurama was thinking along the same lines when he sensed movement under him, and quickly leaped back, out of the reach of Genbu.
"You'll never defeat me by just running away!" said Genbu, his voice echoing all around, making it difficult to pinpoint his exact location.
"Yes Genbu, I believe you are right." said Kurama, as he pulled out a rose from the most oddest place to hide a flower, in his hair.
"A flower?" Yusuke said, a bit confused.
"Now that's weird. If he's trying to win the beast over I don't think that's a good idea." said Kuwabara.
"It's no ordinary flower. Rose Whip!" Kurama said, as his rose transformed into a thorny whip, as petals came fluttering down.
"Well, everything's coming up roses." said Yusuke.
"It smells girly, I don't think I like it." said Kuwabara.
"Oh sure, I guess he should be a tough guy like you and be obsessed with kittens." Yusuke teased.
"Shut up!" Kuwabara said, his cheeks turning pink.
Genbu was laughing at Kurama's weapon as he remained hidden in the stone. "You still don't understand your problem! What good will a fancy whip do you if you can't tell where I am?" Genbu mocked.
"Yes, not being able to find you is a problem." Kurama agreed.
"You just can't be scared, can you? Well, I'll soon change that!" Kurama only closed his eyes, as he gripped his whip tighter and turned around.
"Found you!" Kurama said as Genbu came out from the ceiling, as Kurama brought up his whip.
"It's over, the thorns on Kurama's whip can slice through any substance, including solid stone." said Hiei.
"Rose Whiplash!" Kurama shouted as his whip slashed through Genbu's body multiple times. Cutting the beast into pieces.
"How did you find me?" Genbu asked.
"Your smell, after filling the room with the rose's sweet aroma, your putrid odor was easy for me to find." said Kurama, as Genbu's eyes rolled back.
"Well that's not fair. Why isn't it that any of my fights end that quick?" Yusuke asked with a smile.
"You beat him in one blow. Now that's what I call a wimp!" said Kuwabara.
"You idiots, it only looked easy because Kurama was the one fighting. If you had fought you would have died in under a minute." said Hiei.
"Why does everything you say make me want to bash your face in?! Listen. I happen to place third in Genkai's Fighting Tournament! The only ones who beat me were Urameshi and an evil monster!" said Kuwabara.
"What's your point?" asked Hiei.
"You little—!"
"Children! Would you mind saving it for the bad guys?!" said Yusuke.
"Okay. But he started it." said Kuwabara.
"I guess now we go up the stairs." said Yusuke, as she made a move to the stairs.
"Wait." Yusuke stopped halfway to the stairs and looked back at Kurama. "It seems my fight is not over." said Kurama. Everyone looked back at Genbu's pieced up body beginning to put itself back together. Rising back onto his feet, Genbu looked down at the team.
"Who's beaten? Not me!" Genbu said as he picked up his head and placed it where it was to go.
"You can disassemble me all you like. I'll come back together every time!" Actually, it makes for a very nice attack!" Genbu raised his arms in front of him as his body broke off and launched themselves straight at Kurama. Raising up his whip, Kurama readied himself to attack, when for no reason the rocks all swerved away from him. At first, Kurama didn't understand, but then he saw who the real target was. Genbu was aiming for Yusuke, who was separated from the others.
"Urameshi! Look out!" Kuwabara shouted. Yusuke, who was focused on Kurama to use his whip, couldn't react quickly enough as the stones came flying towards her. Yusuke took a step back, but then found herself being tackled to the floor as Kurama had saved her from the attack.
"Are you hurt, Yusuke?" Kurama asked.
"Look out!" Yusuke shouted as she pointed behind Kurama to the flying rocks that were heading straight for them. Kurama stood up and used his Rose Whiplash. Cutting all the stones into rubble.
"Right in the head! Let's see him come back now!" said Kuwabara.
"Want to try again?" Genbu said as his body reassembled itself again.
"Okay, that was luck!" Yusuke said. Genbu whipped his tail at Yusuke, sending her hurtling back towards Kuwabara and Hiei.
"Yusuke! Are you all right?" Kurama called.
"Ouch! That really hurt!" came Yusuke's response.
"Let's end this. How'd you like to be stoned to death?!" Genbu said as his body broke apart again, and each piece launching themselves at Kurama.
Kurama lashed his whip as the stones flew past him, inflicting small wounds. All the while, Kurama was searching for a weak point. He fell to the floor, avoiding the rest of the stones as they all bunched together for another attack.
"They're coming back!" said Kuwabara. Kurama stood his ground as the stones came down at him.
"What the hell's he doing? He's gonna get killed!" Yusuke said. As the stones flew past him again, Kurama had found what he was looking for and had taken it.
The stones had all bunched together again, as Kurama fell to one knee, catching his breath. "You're not even fighting back now. Those blows must have made you insane." Genbu said, as he reassembled himself Kurama began to laugh. "Yes, I'm sure of it. Now you're laughing at nothing." Genbu looked at Kurama, but found something odd; he wasn't right-side up. "Wait! How'd you get on the ceiling? What's wrong?"
Suddenly both Yusuke and Kuwabara broke out in hysteric laughter at the site of Genbu. His body parts were not where they were supposed be, like for instance, his head was between his legs.
"I've heard of brass balls before, but come on!" Yusuke laughed.
"Yeah I'd like to see him use a toilet!" Kuwabara laughed
"You've got some huge balls there, huh?!"
"That's gotta be too heavy for you to even walk!"
"What did you do to me?!" Genbu demanded, looking over at Kurama.
"I took this." Kurama said, holding out a pulsing rock.
"What's that?"
"I believe this is the equivalent of the hypothalamus portion of your brain. It regulates all the functions of your body, including the process of putting you back together. It seems to relay an energy signal when you separate, making it very easy to find." said Kurama.
"You can't—Do this! Give it back to me!" Genbu begged.
"Farewell." Kurama said, tossing it into the air and cutting it in half with his whip. Which in the process destroyed Genbu as he turned to rubble.
"I don't think he liked that." said Kuwabara.
"Good work Kurama!" Yusuke said, giving Kurama the thumbs up. Kurama fell to one knee as he held his stomach. Yusuke, Kuwabara, and Hiei all ran to his side. "Are you okay?" Yusuke asked.
"If Kurama is injured we're going to have some problems." said Hiei.
"I'm sorry, Yusuke." said Kurama.
"You've earned yourself a break anyway!" said Yusuke.
"Yeah, I'll handle the next one." Kuwabara said.
"Yusuke, Genbu didn't hurt you from that last attack, did he?" Kurama asked.
"No, it's just a scratch. I'll be fine." Yusuke looked over at the stairs, and gestured that they should move onward. The team had stopped to rest for a moment after climbing the stairs from the stone chamber. Kurama, still clutching his wound, only gave them all a reason to stop.
"Kurama, how bad is that wound?" Yusuke asked.
"Fine, as long as I can walk." answered Kurama.
"He'll survive but he's in no shape to fight. That means we have only three fighters left and one of them is worthless." said Hiei.
"Hey, don't be so hard on yourself, short-stuff!" said Kuwabara.
"Maybe I'm going out on a limb here, but I think he meant you." said Yusuke.
"Is that so? Then maybe I should show you something! What in the world do you think I was doin' for the last six months while you were training with Genkai? Letting you get better than me? Nuh-uh!" Kuwabara said, as he held up his right hand and conjured up his weapon. "Spirit Sword!" he said as his sword of energy formed.
"Hey! Watch it!" Yusuke said, stepping back to avoid being hit by Kuwabara Spirit Sword.
"Ya see what I've learned Urameshi? I don't gotta use the tip of that wooden sword to make it work anymore! It's just my pure energy! And I bet it could kick the crap out of your Spirit Gun!" Kuwabara gloated.
"That depends on what finger I use." Yusuke said, holding up her middle finger.
"Well, as it turns out he's only partially worthless." said Hiei.
"Okay, wanna die?!" Kuwabara said, pointing his sword at Hiei.
"I dare you." Hiei said with a cocky smile.
"Hey!" Yusuke said, stepping in between the two.
"Yeah, yeah, let him live. I'm sure he'll be saying sorry after he sees what else I can do!" He held his sword up and said, "Sword get long!" and his sword grew, hitting the ceiling.
"Wow, it even comes with its own spear attachment." Yusuke said sarcastically.
"I can make it any size I want it to be." Kuwabara said, bringing it back down to size and making it disappear. "I know when Genbu showed up I got a little—what's the word. Freaked! But that's not gonna happen from now on, my friends! Because Kuwabara gots the good stuff!" Kuwabara paused for a moment, and then fell to the floor. "Don't worry guys—sometimes the sword makes me a little dizzy."
"You're not making us look good!" Yusuke said, as she pulled Kuwabara back up. Then the familiar ringing started up again, and Yusuke pulled out the Communication Mirror. Opening it, Botan's face appeared, looking a bit flustered.
"Yusuke! You've got to hurry!" she said.
"What's the matter, Botan?" Yusuke asked.
"Listen Yusuke, I think the Saint Beasts have launched another wave of insects! I've found a whole batch by the Academy!"
"They're taking over kids now?"
"That's right."
"I thought you said these insects only liked to take over the minds of depressed people!"
"Well that's because depressed people are more easily influenced. The same is also for children, but if the bugs get in them I'm afraid—" Botan looked up to see a man possessed by the insect stop right in front of her. Botan fell back and grabbed her bat, holding it up as defense.
"Okay, you're afraid! I get it! Now finish your sentence!" Yusuke said.
"Sorry Yusuke, but I'm being chased now!" Botan said, as she ran around a corner of the school.
"You're being chased? By who?" Yusuke asked.
"By another guy under the control of the Makai Insects, and this one looks especially unfriendly!"
"Hey, wait! What about Neji and his team?" Botan ran into the back of another warehouse, hiding behind its door.
"I'm meeting up with them soon!" Botan gave a scream as a fist broke a hole through the door. And continued to make the hole bigger as a means to get inside.
"Hey! Botan! Botan!" Yusuke called, as the screen went blank for a moment, and then returned, showing Botan sitting on the floor with the Makai victim knocked out on the floor. "Wow, you got him."
"Well I'm not making a career out of this." Botan said, picking up the mirror. "You go and destroy that whistle before I have to fight this entire village!"
"Right." Yusuke closed the mirror and put it back in her pocket just as a roar rumbled through the corridor. Shaking the castle, as stone footings came out of their place.
"I don't know what kind of monster makes that sound but I got a hunch it's our next enemy!" said Kuwabara.
"That is Byakko. And he doesn't sound very pleased." said Kurama.
"Let's go!" Yusuke said; running ahead of the team as the rest followed. The ceiling crumbling from the roar, as Yusuke and her team ran from it.
"This is dangerous!" Kuwabara said, after looking back to see the ceiling collapsing behind them. Escaping the collapsing corridor, Yusuke and her team came to another case of stairs, leading further up to the tower. Taking no time to reconsider, they all sprinted up the steps, not once pausing to rest until they came to the top where a platform of stone was. And just beyond the other side, on a raised balcony, stood the next beast.
"Tiger." Hiei said.
"Intruders will pay for coming this far into my territory." said the beast. It was a massive tiger with overgrown fangs and a dark green mane. He stood on his hind legs and wore a pelt of his past victims.
"It's huge!" said Kuwabara.
"It's a pity they don't have him in a zoo." Yusuke said.
"I'll go." said Hiei.
"Back off! Didn't I say I'd take the next one!" said Kuwabara, walking out towards Byakko, but stopped at his growling.
"Do not think you're dominant because you tore apart Genbu. He was weak! He could talk to the demons in the city, by prowling through the castle wall. That's why we didn't kill him ourselves. But I am a real beast. I have been caged in this place for too long. Without prey. Without bones. Without blood, until now. Humans! I will rip you apart and eat you myself!" Byakko roared.
"Gee, how nice." Yusuke said sarcastically.
"Hiei. Kurama. I'll feed your bodies to the vultures!" Byakko roared, breaking the stone platform so that only a narrow bridge was left to cross.
"Apparently this guy likes breaking things with the sound of his voice." Yusuke said, stating the obvious.
"It's a long trip to the ground. I'll send you all there with my roar unless you come and fight me. Of course, your weak bodies will be broken either way." Byakko claimed as he roared again.
"Monster! He thinks he's so tough!" said Kuwabara, taking another step as Yusuke reached out and placed her hand on his right shoulder.
"Kuwabara—" Yusuke said but was pushed away.
"Step off!" Kuwabara said.
"Damn it." Yusuke muttered.
"You really think you can beat him?" asked Hiei.
"Well of course, half-pint! In fact I'm not scared at all." Kuwabara said, putting on a brave face.
"So I guess your legs are shaking out of eagerness." Yusuke said, seeing through Kuwabara's act as his legs visibly shook.
"Leave me alone Urameshi! I'm just scared of heights!" said Kuwabara, as he began to carefully walk across the narrow bridge.
"This isn't the time to pretend you're tough." Yusuke said through gritted teeth.
"I said leave me alone!" Kuwabara shouted over his shoulder.
"You don't believe you can overpower me with just one human do you?" Byakko asked as Kuwabara stepped onto the platform.
"Let's fight, Byakko-monster!" Kuwabara shouted.
"Oh please! I can't stay angry if you make me laugh!" Byakko said as he laughed out loud at Kuwabara.
"I'm serious! Come down here so I can knock your lights out!"
"Stop it! I could tear you into little pieces with nothing but the hairs on my mane!"
"Oh really!"
Byakko only laughed again as he pulled four strands of his hair out, and blew them towards Kuwabara. The strands each turning into a hideous dog-like beast.
Well. I guess he wasn't joking about the hair! Kuwabara thought.
"These beasts are a small part of myself. Like me, they're hungry. And you are perfect new meat. They don't like sharing either, so you might be in the middle of a little tug-of-war." One of the beasts leaped forward at Kuwabara, clawing down on his left shoulder and landing behind him. Kuwabara fell to one knee as he placed his hand over his wound.
"That was a freebie. Spirit Sword!" Kuwabara said, as he conjured up his energy sword.
"So you can use your reiki as a weapon. Very impressive but I'm afraid it won't aid in your survival for very long!" The four dog beasts ran at Kuwabara all at once, as Kuwabara swung his sword at the first one. Only to miss and have talons bear down across his back.
"Get your back against the wall!" Yusuke shouted. Kuwabara ignored her words as he ran up to one of the beasts and swung his sword down, only to have the beast jump out of the way. Allowing a second to come up behind him. Kuwabara spun around and swung his sword at it too. Though every time he turned around to swing at the beasts, they would only move away and come at him from a different angle.
"He has no strategy. He's just swinging his sword with the grace of a fly-swatter. That's no way to survive." said Hiei, bitterly as he watched Kuwabara proving his point of view.
Kuwabara fell to one knee, taking in raspy breaths as the creatures circled in on him and jumped all at once. Digging their claws into his flesh, making screams of agony stream out from Kuwabara's throat.
"Kuwabara! Let me take 'em instead!" Yusuke shouted. "I know you want to fight this one but there's too many of those things to swing a sword at! My shotgun blast just makes more sense, okay! Come on Kuwabara, please!"
"If you're going to take the time to switch you might as well fight me all at once!" Byakko laughed cruelly, "After all, nothing gives me more pleasure than a big group kill!"
"Okay, Kuwabara, I don't care if you retreat or not! I'm coming in to help!" Yusuke said, as she began running onto the narrow bridge.
"Stay right there!" Kuwabara demanded. Yusuke stopped at the start of the bridge. "I'm not asking for help and if you come up I swear I'll turn this sword on you! I'm no wimp, Urameshi. And I'm not stopping unless Byakko comes and kills me himself."
"Don't say that." Yusuke said, unable to move her legs to walk back to where Kurama and Hiei were.
"If that's your choice of death then fine. Beasts, you may now tear off his arms and legs and divide them amongst yourselves. But leave the body for me so I can finish him." Byakko growled.
"Sorry monsters but you can't! Genkai just fixed these arms and I'm not breaking 'em again!" Kuwabara said as he ran from the beasts, but to no avail as they each had done their worst to him.
"Hey! Don't die from being stubborn you dope! Let me take over!" Yusuke screamed, "There's no way you can beat all four of these beasts by swinging your sword around! Think about it!" Kuwabara looked back at Yusuke, seeing she was still standing on the narrow bridge.
"She's right." he said to himself. Then looking down again at where Yusuke was standing he said again, "She's right!" And began running back towards his team.
"After all that, he's finally had enough sense to retreat, but it's too late now!" Byakko said, "Go on you beasts! Chase him back to his friends and then eat them all!"
"There, you see? In the end the fool runs away." said Hiei.
"He won't make it." said Kurama, seeing the four beasts chasing after Kuwabara across the bridge in single-file.
"Don't worry, I'll go as soon as he screams for help." said Yusuke.
"You know you can't escape!" said Byakko. Just then, Kuwabara stopped half way across the bridge and looked back at Byakko.
"Who in the world said anything about escaping?" he said, as he pointed his sword at the advancing beasts. "Eat this! Sword get longer!" At his words, the sword grew so long that it pierced straight through all four of the beasts at once. "It's true I couldn't win by swinging my sword. But I could win by stabbing it once I got all four of these suckers lined up!"
"Nice one Kuwabara!" Yusuke shouted from the other end of the bridge.
"Yes, he actually did something clever." said Hiei.
"Watch it Hiei. No use getting jealous on me just cause I'm good!" Kuwabara gloated.
"But what are you gonna do now?" Yusuke pointed out.
"I don't know. Some sort of a monster-beast shish kabob now." said Kuwabara.
"These beasts are still a part of me and even though they're chained up doesn't mean they can't chase you down! They just need more energy!" Byakko roared, giving his beasts more energy to start moving forward with the sword still through them. Kuwabara ran back to where his teammates were and began running around the tower they came through.
"Do you think he knows it's a circle?" asked Hiei, not bothering to wonder what the outcome may be as Kuwabara came back around and locked his end of the Spirit Sword to the other end.
"You just twist and seal!" Kuwabara said, taking a step back to see his work. All four beasts had been chained up around the tower, unable to go anywhere.
"I don't believe this!" Byakko grumbled, seeing his beasts trapped by a boy.
"That's a little move I like to call the Spirit-Sword Monster-Beast-Donut!" said Kuwabara. Yusuke was a bit taken back by the sight, unable to grasp that Kuwabara had done something rather clever for once.
"Idiot." was all Hiei had to say.
"I think 'monster beast donut' is a perfect name." said Kurama. Yusuke chuckled as she turned around to face Byakko.
"Excuse me sir. I don't like this one. You got chocolate with sprinkles?" Yusuke mocked, only to infuriate Byakko more.
"My own prey mocks me, I will not tolerate that." Byakko growled.
"You'd best get ready to tolerate a lot more, you poor excuse for a cat!" Kuwabara said.
"My own prey, I cannot allow this disgrace to continue!" Byakko growled, as he roared out and struck a bolt of lightning to destroy the tower where his beasts were trapped. Destroying them along with the tower.
"Tear up the castle however you want, it doesn't change the fact that your little monsters are beat and you're about to be next!" said Kuwabara, as he walked back on the narrow bridge to the large platform.
"Stupid Human! I am the White Tiger Byakko, one of the Four Saint Beasts and the greatest predator who ever lived!" Byakko roared
"Yeah—yeah I think you said that already! And I'm Kuwabara! So let's go!" Kuwabara said, conjuring up his Spirit Sword again. Byakko leaped from his platform down in front of Kuwabara. Standing up to his full size.
Gee. He looks a lot bigger up close. Kuwabara thought.
"What are the odds Kuwabara starts calling for his mommy?" Yusuke said, measuring the sizes of both fighters with her eyes.
No, I'm not going to wimp out on this. Kuwabara thought, feeling his knees beginning to shake.
"I can smell your fear. Clearly your body knows something your brain does not." said Byakko, "If the sword's your most powerful weapon, then you cannot hurt me. To tell you the truth, you'd be better off attacking me with your little fingernails."
"Well, I'm sorry if I don't believe you!" Kuwabara said, as he readied his sword and charge up to Byakko. Cutting down on his from the left shoulder, all the way down to his right hip. "How's that?"
Byakko turned around; bring his large clawed hand down. Kuwabara only jumped up and brought his sword straight down onto Byakko.
"Okay. Maybe the tiger will be calling home." Yusuke said.
"Something's wrong." said Kurama.
"Clearly." added Hiei.
"What does he mean?" Yusuke asked, looking down at Hiei.
"Try looking closely at the two fighters. Judging from the attacks, Kuwabara obviously had the upper hand. But by the looks of them, it's as if Kuwabara is the one taking all the blows." said Hiei. Yusuke suddenly became anxious, now able to see the state Kuwabara was really in.
Man. What's going on? Thought Kuwabara, I'm about to collapse here and he's not even breathing hard! And I'm doing all the attacking! Wait a minute! Kuwabara paused for a moment to look up at Byakko's size.
"Could it be...?" Hiei trailed off.
"Byakko's size. It's increasing." Kurama said, comparing Kuwabara's size to Byakko's. "Now I see, look down at Kuwabara's Spirit Sword."
"What the—" Kuwabara broke off as his sword began to shrink away in his hand.
"It's getting smaller." said Yusuke.
"Exactly, proportional to Byakko's increase. He's stealing Kuwabara's energy." said Kurama.
"You've finally caught me! I've been feeding off every slash of your sword!" Byakko laughed at revealing his secret. Kuwabara summoned up more of his energy to bring his sword back to its normal size. But the forced energy made his knees buckle, causing him to fall onto his knees. Yet, despite his fatigue, Kuwabara stood up again, ready to make another assault.
"Kuwabara! Are you crazy? Hit him again and he'll just get bigger!" Yusuke shouted, "Kuwabara! Don't be stupid!"
"Leave me alone Urameshi! Nothing's gonna make me stop fighting now!" Kuwabara shouted back, as he launched himself straight for Byakko once more.
AN: Thanks for reading!