Disclaimer: I don't own Yu Yu Hakusho.

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They set out the next day, at dawn this time. Yusuke whined loudly, but helped load supplies onto the wagon. The creatures pulling it made Keiko and Kuwabara start: they had a bird's torso and head, but a horse's body. Yusuke didn't react, clearly these was just something that existed in the Spirit Plane, but he did call them hippogriffs. Their journey started out peacefully. There were petty arguments, all involving Yusuke, and one incident when Botan almost got trodden on, but overall, Keiko found that she was becoming comfortable with her group. The blue haired fairy had become her friend, and even Yusuke, despite his brash attitude, was growing on her.

Things came to a head halfway through the second day. They were travelling happily, with Kuwabara trying to hit Yusuke for some stupid reason that Keiko didn't understand, and failing miserably, when suddenly something hit the wagon. The creature pulling it screeched as the wagon tipped onto its side. The next thing Keiko knew, Yusuke's face was in front of hers, looking concerned.

"Are you okay? Keiko?" He yelled. Keiko blinked, and nodded shakily. Yusuke's expression morphed into a grin.

"Good. Listen Your Highness, you stay here with Botan. Me and Kuwabara will take care of this." With that, he clambered out of the tipped wagon. Kuwabara stopped to make sure she wasn't hurt - because he sure didn't trust Urameshi – before following. Botan hovered over, face worried.

"Oh dear, I hope it isn't Spirit Guards. Koenma will be livid!" She babbled. Keiko smiled gently.

"Don't worry, Botan. They'll be fine." She reassured her. "Kuwabara's a Captain, and Yusuke can take care of himself."

Botan seemed to relax slightly as she took in her words. "You're right of course. Come on, let's go see what's going on."

With that, she flew towards the exit, too fast for Keiko to stop her. "Botan!" The princess hissed, before pursuing her. After she's made her way out of the wagon, she gasped. The thing Yusuke was facing off with was made entirely of stone, obsidian eyes gleaming evilly.

"What is that?" She shrieked. Yusuke scowled, but didn't take his eyes off his opponent.

"A golem. Don't worry," he said, startling Keiko as he anticipated her next question. "I can take it." The golem laughed - a horrible gravelly sound.

"Don't be so sure. Besides, you can't have though that I was alone?"

Yusuke's eyebrows shot up, suggesting to Keiko that he actually had - when a growl made itself heard to his left. He spun towards the sound. "Oh, shit–"

The cause was a sort of standing tiger-human hybrid. Keiko shrank back. What kind of monsters lived in this Plane? She suddenly really missed the Water Plane - at least its monsters stayed in the water.

"I am the White Tiger - can you take both of us?" The thing hissed. "There is quite the bounty on your head, Yusuke Urameshi. We could do without your companions, though."

Yusuke's eyes narrowed, but before he could do anything, Kuwabara placed himself firmly in front of the White Tiger.

"This one's mine, Urameshi." He stated determinedly. Yusuke blinked, before shaking his head.

"Kuwabara, these guys are serious. He's a demon. You can't -"

"Shut up, Urameshi." Kuwabara ordered, eyes flashing furiously. "I'll handle this one." His tone brooked no argument. Yusuke had no time to issue any, since the golem swung its tail in his direction. He had to throw himself back to avoid the hit. With a dark laugh, the golem sunk into the ground. Yusuke's eyes widened in alarm.

"Keiko watch out!" He yelled, not knowing where the golem would reappear. Meanwhile, Kuwabara had drawn his sword.

"I'm coming for you kitty!" He shouted, before charging. The White Tiger snarled, and slashed at him with vicious claws. They slid off the blade, but the demon retaliated immediately, and managed to draw a deep scratch on Kuwabara's chest. Keiko's hands flew to her mouth.

"Kuwabara!"

"Don't worry, Princess, I'm fine!" Kuwabara ground out, taking another swipe at his enemy. The demon dodged, and attacked. Kuwabara managed to deflect, but Keiko's heart was in her mouth. Things got worse when Yusuke sailed past her, having taken a hit head on. He hit the ground cursing.

"Well well. Isn't this interesting?"

Everyone froze. The golem and the White Tiger chuckled darkly. Yusuke spun around, looking for the source of the new voice. A young man appeared, slowly walking towards him, followed by a much taller, blue skinned - or were those scales? - person a few steps behind. The leader had blond hair, with red streaks on either side of his face. Something changed in Yusuke's expression, and it didn't exactly fill Keiko with confidence.

"Allow me introduce myself. I am Suzaku, sometimes known as the Crimson Sparrow." He said pleasantly, but his eyes belied his tone. Yusuke scowled.

"And that makes you lot the Saint Beasts."

Suzaku laughed lightly. "How right you are. I see you've heard of us. Of course," his voice darkened, "we've heard of you. Oh yes, the spirits' little mistake, am I right?"

Yusuke's scowl could have burned through a mountain. Suzaku laughed.

"I see. But I see you aren't the only interesting character we have here. A Princess, did you say?" He said, turning to Keiko, who paled. Suzaku considered. "Well, it would be easier for us if you came with us willingly. And I daresay there will be a bounty for a missing Princess as well." He turned to address his men. "Capture the girl. I'll handle Urameshi. And kill the others."

A flash of blue, and Keiko was watching a pile of rock fall harmlessly to the ground. Her eyes flew to Yusuke's face as he lowered his hand. "Stay the hell away from Her Majesty." He hissed, murder in his voice. Suzaku just laughed.

"Congratulations, you destroyed the weakest Saint Beast. I assure you I am not so easy to kill." He said, lifting his own hand. Lightning shot from it, slamming into Yusuke, who let out a strangled scream and flew back, crashing into a tree, where he lay still.

"Hey!" Kuwabara yelled, making to move closer. Claws struck him across the back, drawing blood.

"You're fighting me." The White Tiger reminded him. Kuwabara growled, wanting to go to the Princess he had sworn to protect, but knowing he would be useless if he was disembowelled from behind.

Yusuke struggled to his feet. Suzaku smirked cruelly, and gestured to his blue companion. As the towering creature took a step towards Keiko, Botan spun into her human form and grabbed Keiko's hand.

"I'll protect Keiko! Take them out, Yusuke!" She cried, as she took off with Keiko in tow. The blue demon snarled and made to follow them, but a well-aimed blast of magic stopped him. Yusuke grinned.

"Thanks Botan! I'll buy you some time!" He yelled at the fairy's retreating figure. Suzaku hissed.

"No. You'll be busy." This time, Yusuke was able to dodge the blast, before he surged towards the leader of the Saint Beasts. He always had preferred close combat. Fists were a weapon he had learned to use early.

Keiko tried to keep up with her friend as she was dragged along. "Shouldn't we go back?" She shouted. Botan shook her head furiously.

"No. We can't help. Best we get out the way." She called back. She led the way behind a copse of trees, where she stopped.

"This'll have to do." With that, she returned to her true form, and began to Weave. Keiko watched between pants, trying to figure out what the fairy was doing as she flew in a circle around her. She was distracted by the arrival of the blue demon.

"I hope you didn't think you were going to get away." He sneered. Keiko gulped, and saw Botan's movements hasten. She had to buy time.

"Who are you?" She demanded, trying to inject confidence into her words, and only half succeeding.

"I am known as the Blue Dragon." The demon told her. Keiko gasped.

"You're a dragon?" She asked, confidence abandoned. The Blue Dragon shifted slightly.

"Well, no. I'm a demon. The Ice Dragon is a title. Because I am as powerful as a true dragon." He recovered by the end. Botan stopped, and fluttered over Keiko's shoulder.

"All done!" She sang. Keiko glanced around. The air had changed again, but other than that she couldn't see anything that had changed.

"Um, Botan? Are you sure it worked? Whatever it was?" She asked shakily. The Blue Dragon shook his head, and lifted his arms. The air chilled suddenly. Keiko squeaked and raised her arms to cover her face as a wave of freezing cold passed over her. After a moment of nothing happening, she cautiously opened her eyes. To her shock, the ground around her was completely frozen, but there was an unharmed area with her at its centre. In fact, it was the area inside the circle Botan had Woven around.

"You... you created a shield..." Keiko whispered, astonished. Botan nodded, but something seemed off.

"Bingo! His attacks won't get past it!" She chirped, but sounded a bit - breathless?

"I thought your magic was recharging?" Keiko asked. Botan shook her head.

"Yes, but only the teleportation spell. I can still Weave others." The fairy answered. Keiko breathed a sigh of relief, but this was short-lived, as the Ice Dragon started to laugh. At first it was quiet, but the sound grew until it seemed deafening to the princess. He stopped, and turned an amused gaze towards Botan.

"But if I remember correctly, fairy, this spell draws directly on your magical energy. In other words..." He attacked again, and this time, Keiko heard Botan's sharp intake of breath. "Every hit the shield takes affects you. And when you go down, so does your shield."

Keiko paled, and turned to Botan. "Botan? Is that true?" But she didn't really need a reply. The pallor of the fairy's face, and the grim expression, so out of place on her cheerful face, were answer enough.

"Don't worry Keiko." Botan said instead, voice hard and determined. "I can hold the shield until Yusuke comes. I won't let this jerk get past."

Keiko's gaze flew back to the Ice Dragon, who was charging another attack, and felt fear fill her. Not only for herself, but for her friend shielding her, and for the warriors fighting elsewhere. And she wished that she had Botan's confidence.

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A/N: thanks to anyone who favourited/followed/reviewed, your comments are much appreciated!