The battle between Byakko and Kuwabara is separated into two parts due to the length. Please also remember to review. Critiques are welcomed but I do not tolerate flames.

Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho in any way. I only own my OCs

Chapter 7: Kuwabara vs Byakko part 1

After the defeat of Genbu, the team moved deeper into the castle. "How're you doing Kurama?" Yusuke asked the fox demon. Said demon walked next to Nobunaga who made sure that he wasn't aggravating his wounds.

"I will be fine Yusuke thank you." He said smiling kindly at the human.

"So now we are down to four. Hmph. Aside from myself, the detective, and the creature I doubt the buffoon will be able to handle the next battle himself."

"Who do you think you're calling 'creature' you-" Nobunaga's muttering was cut off by Kurama's hand on his shoulder. Nobunaga looked at him curiously but the demon merely spoke.

"Please do not take anything that Hiei says to heart. He merely does not know what to refer to you as. Speaking of which you still are not willing to say what you are?" He asked.

Nobunaga frowned at him and glared. "Not in your life fox." he spat. Nobunaga walked past him toward the others where Kuwabara was having yet another argument with Hiei.

"What did I tell you before shrimp! I said leave the next one to me! I can handle it!" He yelled out to the demon.

Yusuke rolled his eyes. "You were freaking out before when Kurama fought."

Nobunaga added to the fire. "You said and I quote: There's no way we can take out a monster like that.' So tell us, why the sudden boost of confidence?" he asked raising an eyebrow.

Kuwabara smirked haughtily and puffed his chest out in pride. "I was only freaking out because I was surprised." He grinned and held his hand out in front of the group. "I didn't sit around doing nothing after Genkai's tournament you know!"

He turned to face Yusuke. "Because I've been training myself constantly, I can do this now." Kuwabara concentrated looking at his right hand. Suddenly a burst of orange energy sprouted and formed the shape of a sword around his hand. "SPIRIT SWORD!"

A small smirk graced Nobunaga's face as he crossed his arms. "Congratulations. You've managed to back up that mouth of yours."

Hiei smirked. "So it's not a wooden sword."

Kuwabara began to get irritated again. "WHY YOU-" This time he was cut off by Yusuke. "Cut it out already." He growled out and Nobunaga sighed with relief that he wasn't going to have to use the silencing spell again.

"Forget it. Gaze upon the fruits of my training! SWORD GET LONGER!" Kuwabara yelled and the sword did as commanded.

Yusuke whistled. " 'Bout as long as a bamboo stick."

"Huh. " Nobunaga grunted impressed that the other human was able to do that in so little time.

Kuwabara grinned. "It bends and moves at my will." Then his face grew serious. "I was only afraid of the sight of that last monster but now I'm prepared! LEAVE THE NEXT ONE TO ME!" he yelled. Kuwabara suddenly clutched his head tightly. "Whoa...I feel so tired all of a sudden."

Yusuke nearly fell down at that. "I REALLY CAN'T STAND YOU RIGHT NOW!" He yelled.

Nobunaga just smacked a hand to his forehead. "Well who's bright idea was it to let the guy come along?" He stated looking at Yusuke from the corner of his eye.

"Shut up..." Said human muttered looking away. Nobunaga smirked in triumph.

A sudden roar boomed and shook the entire room that the group was standing in. "What the hell was that?" Yusuke said looking around the room.

Kuwabara shook much like when he'd first seen Genbu. "W-what was that noise! It's not from this world!"

Nobunaga just sighed and palmed his forehead again in irritation at the human's statement. "This is the demon plane genius..."

Kurama's eyes roamed down the hall in front of them. "That sounded like the roar of Byakko...and from the sound of it he's not in a pleasant mood."

Yusuke began to charge. "Well what're we waiting for?! Let's go!"

Nobunaga began to yell running after him with the others following. "DUMBASS! WAIT FOR THE REST OF US!"

The tower soon gave to a massive ring outside where a large white tiger with a green mane and stripes smirked at them menacingly from the other side. Yusuke peered down from the ring and his eyes widened at the drop. "Damn...one stumble and splat..." He muttered but his attention was soon refocused onto the tiger demon who began to yell.

"So you're the fools that Suzaku forced me to come out for? Tch, that weakling Genbu was nothing!"

Yusuke's eyes widened at the demons height. "He's tall!"

Kurama nodded. "About ten feet at the most I'm sure."

Kuwabara on the other hand began to sweat bullets at the sight of the demon. "This...Definitely wasn't in our arrangement."

Nobunaga and Yusuke both gave him a strange look. "There wasn't an agreement at all." Yusuke said feeling a sweat-drop come down.

"What nonsense are you spewing now?" Nobunaga muttered to no one.

Byakko clenched his fists tightly in rage. "It's bad enough that I've been locked up in this castle without even tasting a morsel of human flesh. Now the Reikai has the gall to send two humans, two betrayers, and a..." Byakko sniffed again and Nobunaga began to tense. "...what in blazes is with them...?" He murmured.

"That's what I'd like to know." Hiei looked at Nobunaga trying to figure that out.

"Hmph...Two humans, Two betrayers, and some sort of bizarre creature as well." Nobunaga calmed down tremendously at that. Byakko hadn't realized he was the 'Exile of Worlds' because his spirit energies made it difficult to differentiate. He was still irked at being called a creature though.

"LISTEN UP TRASH!" Byakko yelled again. "ALL HUMANS ARE MY FOOD! HIEI, KURAMA, AND YOU STRANGE CREATURE! YOU WILL BE SHREDDED TO PIECES AND FED TO THE HUNGRY GHOULS!"

What I wouldn't give to be tearing him apart... bit by bit, tendons snapping and blood splattering... I'd like to see the terror on his face then. Nobunaga thought feeling his canines elongate. Those who'd threatened to feast on him, their last moments were that of terror as the exile snuffed them out.

"Such a terrifying noise...It's as if his stomach is tearing its very self apart." Kurama stated as a terrible howl ripped from Byakko's throat and into the open.

Kuwabara tried to show that he was not scared by stepping up to have a battle with the tiger demon. "Quit mumbling to yourself and let's do this."

Yusuke whipped his head around and looked at the other human as if he grew another head. "Kuwabara what are you doing?!"

Nobunaga sighed in exasperation. "You're all talk right now. I hope you know that we can see that."

Kuwabara looked at him offended. "And what makes you so sure about that?"

Yusuke backed the exile up. "Please tell me your knees are shaking because you're holding back a lot of spiritual pressure." Anymore and Kuwabara might actually create a fault line.

"I said I was going to fight already so here I come!" The human stated walking into the ring to face the tiger demon.

"I don't know what's going to get him killed first. His pride or his ignorance." Hiei muttered.

"I'd bet on his pride." Nobunaga stated rubbing his temples. He could feel another migraine coming on. All this nonsense wasn't good for his mental health.

Byakko raised an eyebrow at only Kuwabara walking toward him. "Only one will fight?" Suddenly he began to laugh. "This is so amusing that I can't even get angry!"

Kuwabara yelled at the demon getting his attention. "COME DOWN HERE AND FIGHT LIKE A MAN!"

Byakko smirked and ran a hand through his mane. "Hehe. Don't make me laugh any more than I have at your pathetic display human. Against something like you, I don't even need to lift a finger. Byakko grabbed four strands of fur from his mane and tossed then toward Kuwabara. The strands transformed to become four hideous beasts. "Let's see how well you do against my pets. You'll regret your decision to fight me when you are sent to your death!"

Kuwabara screamed in surprise and shock when one of the beasts attacked him and caused blood to spurt out of his shoulder and cheek. "Damn you! SPIRIT SWORD!" He yelled summoning his blade.

Byakko laughed cruelly. "So this filthy pest knows how to wield such a weapon?" He snorted haughtily. "It doesn't matter though! My pets will tear you apart before you can even move!" Two more beasts attacked the human who did the only thing he could at the moment: He swung his spirit sword at them. However he only got bloodier as a result.

Hiei's eyes narrowed as they wandered toward the human. "It doesn't look as if the fool will last much longer."

Yusuke shouted. "KUWABARA LET ME DO IT! MY SHOT GUN MIGHT BE ABLE TO HIT THE OTHER BEASTS! YOU WON'T NOT STAND A CHANCE!"

Byakko cackled at the group as Kuwabara kept trying to fight the beasts off. "It doesn't matter if you try to help him or if you attack all at once. I will make sure you all perish!"

Kuwabara yelled at Yusuke's plea to let him switch. "I'm gonna defeat him Urameshi! Just watch! If you even think about cutting in I'll kill you myself!" he threatened.

"It might just be best to let him fight." Nobunaga said and Yusuke turned to him disbelievingly. "Are you crazy!? He's gonna get himself killed!"

Nobunaga just looked at him and Yusuke found himself looking at eyes that contained not only hints of irritation but an impressive amount of wisdom and calm. "I don't think you're giving him enough credit. He's foolish, I'll give him that, but he's not entirely stupid. He knows what's at stake here."

Yusuke just stayed silent and then went back to watching his friend struggle against the demonic beasts.

"BEASTS! TEAR HIM LIMB FROM LIMB! HIS HEAD AND TORSO WILL BE LEFT FOR ME!" Byakko commanded.

That ticked Kuwabara off and he hollered. "It took me a while to get my energy back. Do you seriously think I'm gonna let you have my arms and legs just like that?" he said referring to when his arm was broken by the demon Rando.

"KUWABARA! DON'T PUSH IT! I TOLD YOU YOU! SWITCH WITH ME! YOUR SWORD'S NOT GOING TO BE ENOUGH TO FINISH OFF THOSE MONSTERS ALL AT ONCE!" Yusuke yelled trying to talk some sense into the other human.

Kuwabara looked back to the group and it looked as if a light bulb had gone off in his head. "That's right!" He said and he began running toward them.

Byakko was confused for a moment before he laughed at Kuwabara running. "So you decided to go back to your team? Hah! It doesn't matter! TEAR THEM TO PIECES!"

However before Kuwabara got to the group he steered himself toward a pillar with the beasts chasing after him. He glared at the tiger demon before yelling. "WHO SAYS I'M RUNNING AWAY!? I WAS JUST LEADING THEM WHERE I WANTED! SWORD GET LONGER!" The sword went through each beast in a clean shot and they were skewered together in a line.

Byakko was stunned as was the rest of the group. "W-what?"

Kuwabara smirked. "I ONLY RAN THIS WAY SO THAT I COULD GET THEM INTO LINE!"

Byakko grew angry again. "You are a fool! My beasts will not be killed by the likes of you so easily! ATTACK HIM!" He ordered and the demons began to run toward Kuwabara with their claws ready to dig into his flesh. Kuwabara started running around the pillar with the beasts chasing him forming a circle.

"What... is he doing?" Yusuke said sweat-dropping. The others looked just as confused and Nobunaga answered.

"What makes you think that the rest of us know?" He rubbed the back of his neck perplexed at the display.

"Try this on for size!" Kuwabara yelled as he grabbed both ends of the sword and linked them together chaining the beasts. "Anyone want roasted monster?" He joked.

Hiei glanced at Kuwabara and his linked sword. "To have linked your sword together...Such odd ideas."

Kuwabara looked up triumphantly at Byakko. "So big monster, ready to come down and fight me for real? BECAUSE YOU'RE NEXT!" He pointed at the tiger.

Byakko just became angrier and his muscles began to bulge. "THAT'S IT! NOW YOU'VE REALLY PISSED ME OFF!"

"Are you gonna come down and fight me or what!?" Kuwabara yelled at the demon getting tired of waiting.

"Kuwabara don't push it." Yusuke muttered as the other human kept trying to taunt the demon.

A hand came onto his shoulder and he looked up to find Nobunaga shaking his head. "Forget it. Might just be best to wait until Byakko get's pissed enough to come down and fight. Have to admit though this is kinda amusing."

Yusuke gave him a deadpan expression at the 'amusement' but supposed his could understand the reasoning part. From behind the two Kurama and Hiei were watching as well. Kurama with worry about the orange haired human and Hiei with disinterest.

Hiei spoke. "What was this theory of yours that you had on the creature?" He asked with slight curiosity.

Kurama closed his eyes as he began to speak. "I'm afraid I still do not have enough evidence to prove it true. However Nobunaga has proven to be proficient in spell casting. How much, I'm not aware of. However, know for a fact that he is holding back more power than he is letting on. It is a possibility that he is a witch of some sort but even that is a vague idea."

"Hmph. Whether he is human-borne or demon-borne remains to be unseen then I suppose." Hiei stated.

Kurama merely glanced at him before his eyes roamed over to Nobunaga who was still speaking with Yusuke. "Yes that does remain to be unseen. However the energy around him is neither of the two. It is too muddled for me to make out clearly even with my senses." He finished and them turned to Hiei who was digesting the information.

"You are forgetting another class fox." Hiei spoke.

Kurama nodded. Hiei was referring to the soul-borne class of witches: The rarest class of the three categories. Comprised of two full fledged spirits, these Majou had the strongest affinity for magic out of all three classes. He'd only ever met one Soul-borne when he was still a full demon, but she had long since been killed by Reikai forces. The kitsune took to studying Nobunaga.

The body of a young man in his late teens, hair black like ink and skin white as snow. His eyes were the real attention grabber though. His right eye brown like rich amber honey and his left eye like looking into an abyss of frost and darkness. The left was hidden by long bangs framing a delicate looking face but he knew that boy was anything but delicate. His clothing this time revealed that he had a rather lanky frame and muscle showed even if it seemed slight. Kurama's eyes roamed down to the boy's neck and unblemished skin exposed that he suddenly had the urge to taste.

I wouldn't mind making him mine you know. Youko commented within the confines of Kurama's mind. Green eyes widened and his body stiffened. You will not lay a hand on him if I can do anything about it Youko. He will not be another one of your lovers nor will I let you devour his soul.

Kurama argued with his counterpart. Though Youko was a part of him he was a tad ashamed as well. Youko had his string of lovers over time and been a blood thirsty bandit desiring power and wealth. He wouldn't lie about his attraction to the other male though. Nobunaga was certainly attractive and his surly disposition, rather than off putting, only added to his boyish charm. It was actually cute.

What you seek may very well only be physical contact and whatever power he may contain.

Youko only scoffed at the thought. How long will you lie to yourself? It is not his power that neither I nor you crave. You know just as well as I do that there is more than a physical attraction to him. His is easy on the eyes though I will give him that. I wouldn't mind hearing a few moans come out of that mouth myself. Kurama had the decency to blush slightly but kept quiet and Youko said nothing more. The fox was brought out of his musings when Byakko finally came down from his perch. He was even more of an impressive size in person as he towered over Kuwabara.

"He looks even taller now..." Yusuke trailed off and looked at his friend worried.

Byakko pointed a clawed hand at Kuwabara. "That sword of yours will do nothing against me!" he boasted "Even if it is your only formidable weapon, the chances of winning against me are zero!"

Kuwabara moved into a stance and ran at Byakko with his sword ready to strike. "Whether it's of use or not against you...Then let's test it out!" He yelled and began to strike Byakko with exceptionally well timed hits.

Hiei began to comment. "Though he is doing well against him it seems like the buffoon is getting more tired than Byakko."

Kuwabara began to pant. "Damn... I'm getting tired but he isn't countering...Not only that but he lookss bigger than before..."

Nobunaga then noticed something odd. "Wait...is it just me or is Kuwabara losing more energy than normal?"

Kurama gasped in realization. "So that's what he's been planning!"

Yusuke looked at him in exasperation. "Well tell the rest of the class then! Don't leave us in the dark!"

"Look at the sword." Nobunaga said pointing to Kuwabara's sword. Yusuke's eyes widened.

"I-IT'S SHRINKING!"

"It appears Byakko is draining Kuwabara of his energy and using it to power himself." the fox explained.

Byakko cackled as Kuwabara realized what was happening to him. "So what will you do now? Abandon your sword and fight bare-handed?"

Kuwabara glared at the demon. "DON'T YOU DARE LOOK DOWN ON ME!" He yelled and made his sword bigger again charging his way toward the demon.

Yusuke tried to talk sense into his friend again. "FORGET ABOUT IT KUWABARA!"

Kurama backed him up. "You're only giving him more of your energy!"

Kuwabara grit his teeth and thrust his sword at the demon. Byakko roared. "Fool!" Kuwabara's sword landed on his shoulder and then sparks began to surround the human. His eyes rolled into the back of his head and he fell to the ground as Byakko grew another size.

Byakko looked amazed as Kuwabara slowly began to stand. Nobunaga was impressed as well. It had been a long time since he'd seen a human with such determination.

Kuwabara stood up and looked defiantly at the tiger demon. "It's not over yet!" He cried switching into a fighting stance.

Yusuke gasped. "His sword's only about as long as a short sword!" Nobunaga nodded grimly.

"Byakko's absorbed most of Kuwabara's energy now. This will be crucial for him."

Kuwabara was now sensing exactly how much energy had been drained from him and stumbled a little which didn't escape the notice of Byakko who cackled stepping closer to him. "Heh...Feeling drained now? Believe me human, THE HORROR IS ONLY JUST BEGINNING!" With that the demon grew larger still and sent a fist straight at Kuwabara's jaw. Blood spurted through clenched teeth as Kuwabara was sent flying to a wall. Byakko cackled. "I'll make sure you die slowly. It will be a good exercise for me after all. I'll eat your flesh as soon as I digest your energy!"

Yusuke couldn't hold back any longer. "If he stays in this fight he's going to die for sure! I'm going in!" He was stopped by Kurama's hand though and looked at the demon in exasperated questioning. "What the hell is it now!? If we don't do something soon Kuwabara's gonna get himself killed!" He yelled at the fox angrily.

"Please wait a moment Yusuke. There is one more move that Kuwabara may be able to pull off. Byakko's body is at it's limit of expansion. If Kuwabara realizes this..." He trailed off.

Nobunaga whipped his head to Kurama and looked at him like he had lost his mind. "Kurama I have to agree with Yusuke on this. What you're thinking of is suicidal to Kuwabara. If it fails he's going to definitely lose his life."

Yusuke glared at both of them. "I am not going to let him die like this. He has to switch out." Before he could do anything though the group watched as Kuwabara stood up again wiping the blood from his mouth and mumbling something that none of them could hear.

Byakko laughed again. "Saying your last wishes are we?" he raised his claws prepared to give one final blow and kill the human. "I'll fulfill those wishes then and let you die!" He struck his claws down on Kuwabara. "YOUR LIFE WILL BE MINE!" Just as he thrust down his claws, Kuwabara brought out his spirit sword and stabbed it into Byakko's stomach making him gasp.

"I'll give you all my remaining energy!" He yelled digging the sword even further into the demon's stomach.

Yusuke feared for his friend's life. "WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING DUMB-ASS!? YOU'RE GONNA DIE!"

The sword soon disappeared and Kuwabara fell back onto the ground, body still.

Byakko cackled and brought his foot up. "Hehe...Giving me the last of your spirit energy was a fatal move on your part. It's going to make it easier for me to kill you now! FIRST OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!" He yelled.

"THAT'S IT I'M GOING IN!" Yusuke was ready to inflict pain on the tiger demon. He was stopped by Nobunaga grabbing his arm. "Look." Disgusting gurgling noises rang from the demon's potbelly stomach. Byakko looked as though he was going to be sick.

The tiger demon clutched his stomach his eyes widening. "W-what's going on!?" He yelled out. It looked as if the spirit energy was trying to burst out.

Kuwabara slowly sat up and grinned at the out come of his attack. "Just like I predicted!"

Yusuke grinned with relief. "Kuwabara you're alright!" Then the energy that was in Byakko suddenly burst sending the demon sky high.

Kurama chuckled as the demon was sent flying. "It seems that Kuwabara's energy exceeded the limit that Byakko could take in."

Nobunaga whistled. "That's an understatement fox. He looks like a hot air balloon that popped." He chuckled not seeing Kurama blush slightly at the grin he gave.

Kuwabara smirked. "Better breathe in some of that spirit energy that got released and get my strength back." He said trying to breath in.

Kurama smiled. "You're already beginning to get some of your energy back." Right after he said that the group could see Byakko's body drop from the sky and into the castle.

Yusuke grinned laughing. "HAH! Serves the bastard right!" His cheers were cut short though when they saw a body rise up. Byakko had somehow risen again! The loss of Kuwabara's spirit energy had also caused him to revert to his original form when the battle had first begun.

"HOW IS HE UP AGAIN!? WHAT, DOES HE HAVE AN IMMORTAL BODY TOO!?" Yusuke screamed in shock.

Nobunaga rubbed his forehead feeling another headache come on again. "I'm starting to think that myth about cats having nine lives applies to feline demons too."

Byakko smirked looking down at the shocked group. "I admit that I am touched by your fighting. An impressive display regardless of how much your life was hanging by a mere thread. To show you my appreciation I invite you to my room! THE HOUSE OF HORROR!"

Author's note: So writing dialogue for these characters isn't easy. It is fun though. Anyway see you all in the next installment!

Ja'ne- Kitsune to Tenshi-chan