Kuwabara was leaning against a tree as Yusuke plummeted downwards. Catching himself on his feet, Yusuke straightened and looked around at the grassy plain just outside the City of Ghosts and Apparitions.

"Man, don't they normally send teams or something for this kind of thing?"

"Well, I'm here, Urameshi. I guess we're sort of a team."

"Che. Whatever."

"That's just like you to- uh, hey, Urameshi- who're these guys?"

Cloaked figures began to circle the pair, chanting 'Kill, kill!' Yusuke and Kuwabara began trying to take out the demons, but to no avail- as there seemed to be too many to fight at once.

"In need of assistance?"

Two figures that were hidden in the shadows of the tree Kuwabara was leaning on only a few moments before dropped down to the ground, revealing their identities to be a red-headed male in a school uniform and a shorter male in a black cloak. The two whirled around and took out the demons, which were flesh-eaters, and turned back to the two bewildered humans.

"Hahaha. Hey, guys!" The detective nudged the carrot-top in the side. "These two are Hiei and Kurama- you know, I told you about them."

"A pleasure."

"Hello. Yusuke, I see your spirit energy increased- although your friend's is lacking…"

"Why you little!" Kuwabara swung an angry punch at the fire demon, only to have him dodge it- no matter how surprised he was.

"Kurama, why is he acting like I just insulted him?"

"Aw, relax Kuwabara. Hiei means well." Yusuke smirked. "And besides, he's Yukina's brother."

"He is?" Kuwabara's eyes flickered between the shrimp and his rival.

Hiei glanced at the Urameshi. "He met Yukina?"

"Yeah, and he likes her quite a lot."

Hiei grew silent, pondering that new news.

"Don't you believe we should get going? Koenma sounded as if he was in a hurry when he called me." Kurama glanced at the protruding castle in the center of the city.

"Yeah, okay fox boy. Come on!" Yusuke ran off through the city, leaving the others to follow his pace.

The group of four stood facing a stone archway, the only gate into Maze Castle. Yusuke hardened his jaw and strode forward, followed closely by his three comrades. Hiei swallowed softly, feeling that seed of fear he had inside him take root. His crimson eyes swiveled up to Kurama's calm façade. Suddenly, a swooping shape caught all their attentions up ahead.

"Welcome to Maze Castle! Your first test will be the Gate of Betrayal!"

Yusuke watched the purple eyeball flutter around on its purple bat wings, eyes drifting to the lever one of its tentacles just pulled. Suddenly, the ceiling gave way, forcing the four to hold the roof above their heads. Hiei gasped as the sudden force almost made his leg give way. The eyeball demon simply cackled from its unknown mouth.

"The stone is weighted according to each of your maximum strength! However, there is enough leeway to let one of you escape. That is why it is called the Gate of Betrayal!"

Yusuke grimaced. "Well, how the hell are we supposed to get out of this?"

"Thanks for the optimism, Urameshi!"

"Shut up, Kuwabara."

Hiei struggled softly with his weight portion, hoping the detective found a way to get them out of this. He took a chance to glance over at the kitsune, seeing his determined expression. He eyes swiveled back to the teen in green as his name was spoken.

"Hey, Hiei?"

"What is it?" The fire demon glanced at the Urameshi.

"You're faster than all of us combined, so why don't you run out there and flip the switch, okay?"

Hiei swallowed softly. "You really think I can make it in time?"

"Well, yeah. Here- I'll let out all my spirit energy to cover your piece of the weight. That way, you have a little more time."

Hiei looked down. They were counting on him to save them. A smile slipped across his mouth as a determined look flickered into his eyes. A swift nod was all he gave before he took off.

The flying eye fluttered down next to the fire demon- whose hand was resting on the switch- and would have smirked if it had a mouth.

"Come now, Master Hiei. Do you really want to save those weaklings? Just imagine- my masters would gladly train you to become even more of a swordsman. They would even offer protectiong for your sister."

Hiei faltered. "Yukina…"

"That's it… Just let go of the switch."

"Hiei! What are you waiting for?" Yusuke called out in a panic as the roof began lowering slowly downwards again.

Hiei murmured under his breath softly. "I can't accept your offer…"

"Fine, then." The eye turned away. "The boulder would have crushed you anyway."

Hiei's crimson orbs narrowed, upset about being tricked. His sword flew from its sheath and returned in a blink of an eye, leaving the purple eye staggering with a long bloody cut across its cornea. The fire demon pulled the switch. Suddenly, a bolder crashed down right where he was standing just as the ceiling ceased its movements.

"Hiei!" The Spirit Detective dashed out from the small cavern left in the entryway.

The shorter demon hopped down from his perch and appeared beside the trio. Yusuke grinned and patted his back, knocking Hiei off balance slightly.

Kuwabara grinned madly. "I guess you're alright, Hiei."

Kurama chuckled at the fire demon's startled expression. Red eyes stared up in wonder at the two humans, accepting and joyful. Hiei let another smile play across his lips, glad that he found people who liked him the way he was. The group took off with a laugh, heading towards the chamber that held their next challenge.

Botan sighed as she knocked down another human being controlled by the Makai insects with her baseball bat. She shaded her purple eyes and stared up at the bug infested skies, sighing at the large task she had in front of her.

"I do hope Yusuke is alright."

Her blue ponytail flew out behind her as she took off after another one of the insects' victims.