Disclaimer: See Chapter One.
Warnings: See Chapter One.
Chapter 6: The Big Bad Kitty!
Once out of the stairway, they found themselves in another room. This one had two towers, one on each side with a huge circular arena; separating them. Although, there was a stone bridge that connected the tower they had just came from to the arena.
On the other side of the room stood a huge cat like creature. He was standing in front of the opening, which had stairs that lead further up the tower. He wore a Tarzan looking outfit. Two fangs stuck out from his lower jaw, stopping right under his cat like eyes. He had a long mane that stopped at the mid of his back. He looked like a tiger with the stripes that covered both his body and tail.
"That's Byakko and by the sound of his roar, he's in a pretty foul mood." Kurama said, his face serious.
Byakko glared at the group.
"I can't believe I had to get off my butt to deal with pesky little fleas like you! You defeated Genbu, but don't let that go to your heads. He was only an underling!" he said, his eyes narrowing at the group, becoming a bit blood shot.
"He's enormous! A ten footer at least!" shouted Yusuke with wide eyes.
"This...wasn't the deal!" Kuwabara said, shaking a bit.
"I agree but we decided to come right? It's too late to back out now." Joann said with a sigh.
It was totally different watching all of this back at the comfort of her couch at home. She had dreams of going on these missions with the guys. Fighting alongside them with ease. Getting her own powers and becoming a badass! But in reality, this was turning out to be scarier than expected.
"Holden up here in this depressing castle, no succulent human flesh upon which to sup..." Byakko said, looking dead into Joann's eyes.
She shivered as she could feel his bloodshed. Actually, the entire castle was a cesspool of bloodlust. She couldn't feel any other kind of emotion. It was nerve racking. She wondered how Kuwabara was able to not ignore it. It could have been because of his training or maybe Genkai had given him advice before he left. It did take a day before Shizuru had picked up the carrot top after the master's tournament.
"It makes one quite irritable!" Byakko growled, as if showing how irritable he had been.
"Listen worms! I gulp down human by the six-pack! Hiei! Kurama! I'll shred you and feed you to the rotten scamps!" he said as he looked at each member of the group before looking at the two demons as he threatened them.
He turned to look at Joann who couldn't help but gulp.
"But first, I will eat that girl. They tend to be sweet, especially when they scream." he said with a twisted grin.
Joann was trying to keep herself calm. She couldn't turn back, not now. She wanted this. She dreamed of this. But it was different standing there. Sure, she had been good with Genbu. However, she had Kurama fighting along with her and she didn't even know how she was able to do it! It had to be a fluke or her just being stupid...possibly a little bit of both.
Kuwabara stepped in front of Joann. She blinked before looking up at him, rather at his back.
"Yeah, like I'd let you!" Kuwabara growled, with clenched fists.
"Kuwabara!" Yusuke said with shock.
It seemed like the carrot top was serious about taking on this guy.
"You're going to take him alone? I thought that was all talk." Hiei said a bit shocked.
He had seriously thought it was talk. He had seen people, especially humans, like him. They would talk tough, show their 'abilities' but when it came to fighting they would run away screaming like a little girl. He felt some respect for the carrot top.
Kuwabara turned towards the short demon.
"Duh! One-on-one! That's street fightin' pal!" Kuwabara growled, however his body seemed to not feel the same way as his fighting spirit; as his legs began to skane.
"Looks like you are just as eager as Joann was." Yusuke said with raised eyebrow.
Joann felt a bit embarrassed. She was looking like a helpless and scared girl. Sure, she was a girl but that didn't give her an excuse. She had to step up her game so she could prove herself to Yusuke and the rest of the guys. She wasn't going to be a burden or hindrance while on this mission, if she had anything to do with it.
"What I say I'm gonna do, I do!" Kuwabara said with a huff before heading towards the arena.
"You can't back out now, y'mean." growled Yusuke.
"Nuts to you, Urameshi! Just watch!" Kuwabara growled, turning his head to look at Yusuke while continuing to walk.
"Huh?! One human coming towards me-alone?!" Byakko said before letting out a boisterous laugh.
"Was this the underworld's plan-to make me die laughing?!" he added with a fangy grin.
Kuwabara had reached the center of the arena, looking up towards the cat. He pointed at him.
"Cut that out! We'll see who laughs after you haul your tuckus down here!" Kuwabara said.
"I'll pass." Byakko snorted, closing his eyes.
He didn't seem to be taking the carrot top seriously. He moved his left paw to his mane. It reminded Joann of what Kurama would do when pulling out his rose whip.
"No need for me to put myself out." he added.
With two long nails, he plucked four strands from his mane. He opened his eyes with an evil gleam.
"There you go!" he said before blowing the hair.
The group watched as the hairs floated for a moment before they seemed to morph in the air. Once on the arena floor, the strains had transformed into four beasts. They were on all fours and seemed to be almost as tall as the already big teen. They had the body of a smaller yet chubby looking dog. Which Joann found ironic for a cat beast to create dog creatures.
They each had three long claws on all four paws. Their fur was short except for a patch that ran from the top of their heads down the spine to the creature's tail. They had two big fangs on the bottom of their mouth and three sharp teeth between two more big fangs. Two horns curved forward on top of their head.
However, the creepiest thing about them were their five eyes. Two were big on each side of their faces, above their mouths. While the other three sat above their small nose and between the other two eyes. They were black as night and looked soulless.
"He turned his fur into-into these things?!" Kuwabara said taking a step backwards.
He seemed to be a bit freaked out, obviously not expecting this.
"My doppleganger beasts! They'll slowly tear you to pieces! Even after death, you will regret your foolish attempt to confront me!" Byakko said with a growly laugh.
The four creatures growled before one of them rushed the carrot top. Kuwabara yelped as he just dodged the attack. But he still got slashed on each of his shoulder and under his left eye. That was how quick the beasts moved. It was so quick it looked to be one attack, however it was obviously more from the spots that were hit.
Kuwabara stumbled backwards but was able to steady himself. He took out his spirit sword and held it in front of him. He was now prepared for another attack. He wouldn't be taken off guard this time.
Byakko raised a hairy eyebrow at this.
"You summon a reiki blade? Such impudence! That pitiful thing is useless against four beasts at once!" shouted Byakko.
Two more beasts rushed Kuwabara, claws out. Kuwabara backed up and swung his sword. He was able to strike one of them across his face, making the beast stop and scream in pain. It shook his head as if that would stop the pain. Kuwabara grinned but it seemed it was a mistake as the other came up behind him and was able to slash at his back.
Kuwabara stumbled forward letting out a shout. He was just able to turn around to deflect another slash from the beast. It seemed his spiritual awareness kicked in as he was able to dodge another attack from the beast that he had hit. The other two decided to join in their brethren.
"Not too bad, but if he is a one-on-one fighter as he claimed, he won't last long." Hiei said.
Kuwabara had done better than the fire demon had thought. But it was true. Kuwabara wasn't use to being ganged up. And if he did get jumped, his gang was there to back him up.
Joann looked on a bit worried until an idea hit her.
"Kuwabara! Try using your double sword attack!" she shouted.
Kuwabara had just jumped away from another attack, still getting another hit across his chest again. However, he had heard the girl. Once he was far enough away, he focused on his other hand. It was here he had two swords!
All but Joann stood there in shock.
"When did you learn that?!" Yusuke shouted in awe.
"While training with Joann! Now, let's do this!" he growled as two of the beasts came at him.
Kuwabara blocked one of their attacks while the other he slashed and got the beast's chest. Another came around behind him, but Kuwabara was able to turn and whack it away with his right sword. But it seemed with each new attack from each beast, they were able to hit him back.
"Even with two swords he can't handle that many opponents!" Yusuke said with worry in his voice and on his face.
Joann began to also become worried. She was certain he could hold them off if he had two swords. That's why, during training, she had convinced the carrot top to learn how to summon two swords. It seemed it wasn't going to be enough.
Yusuke growled as Kuwabara stumbled away from another attack.
"Kuwabara don't be a jackass! Switch with me! Even with two swords, they're just not enough to take these things out! My shotgun blast's better for taking out multiple targets!" Yusuke shouted.
Kuwabara growled. He knew Yusuke was sort of right. But his pride was on the line. He had learned this new technique for a situation just like this. He had to beat these guys. If he didn't, then all that training for the last two weeks would have been for nothing. Not to mention, all the time Joann had spent to help him improve.
He growled.
"Don't be so polite. Why don't you all jump in at once! you runts shouldn't have tried to fight me in the first place!" Byakko laughed.
"Stay put, guys! I ain't tagging out until fuzzy fangs faces me himself!" Kuwabara growled, jumping back far enough from the four beasts, turning towards the big cat creature.
Another beast jumped at Kuwabara. He growled before landing a heavy hit on the beast, slicing right through it's head. It had screamed out before the head landed with a thud, rolling a bit. The body crumbled to the ground, blood coming out of the wound.
Everyone stared with wide eyes and gasped.
"And I'll kill you next!" Kuwabara growled, looking up at the shocked Byakko.
"How dare you!" Byakko roared.
They were like his babies. So seeing this mere human kill one of them well he was pissed off.
"Beasts, rip off his limbs one by one! Leave me his torso and head to rip and eat!" Byakko growled.
Kuwabara couldn't help but yelp at those words.
"Yipes! Bad doggie! These arms are freshly healed! I ain't losin' em now!" Kuwabara said, dodging one of the beasts.
Another came up from behind, digging his claws into his shoulder. Kuwabara cried out in pain as the claw pulled back out, taking some flesh with it.
"KUWABARA!" screamed both Joann and Yusuke.
Kuwabara dispelled his one sword to hold on to his shoulder wound. He had sweat dripping down his forehead as he dodged another attack.
'Crap...gotta beat these guys...but how?' Kuwabara thought.
"Oh no you don't!" Yusuke growled, grabbing Joann by the bat bag that was on her back.
Kuwabara glanced over to the group.
It seemed the girl was going to run in and help him. Kurama was shaking his head while Hiei had an amused smirk. Kuwabara huffed.
'If she got on that bridge, she wouldn't have anywhere to go if one of these guys went after her...' Kuwabara thought.
His eyes widened.
"Hey! I just got an idea!" he shouted.
Kuwabara dispelled his sword and ran towards the bridge. Joann, who had been struggling in Yusuke's grasp stopped. The group stared on in surprise at seeing Kuwabara running away from the three remaining beasts.
"Eh?" Byakko said, just as surprised as the rest.
"Lost your nerve?! Flee back to your companions, then! But it's no use! The beasts will devour you all!" laughed the cat.
Kuwabara could feel pain in his shoulder as the running was aggravating the wound. It wasn't bleeding as much but he still kept his hand on it while he ran.
"Run run run!" Kuwabara mumbled, trying to focus on that rather than the pain; or the three beasts coming up quick behind him.
Kuwabara skidded to a stop once he crossed the bridge, turning around and sticking out the hand of the injured shoulder, his other still holding the wound firmly. He could see the three beasts all lined up and almost at the end of the bridge.
"Nerve? You wanna see nerve?!" Kuwabara growled.
Joann stared for a moment before remembering what was about to happen. She let out a sigh of relief, which made Yusuke glance at her with a raised eyebrow. He couldn't understand why Joann seemed to relax all of a sudden. Especially since it looked like Kuwabara was about to become dog food.
"Sword grow!" Kuwabara shouted.
His sword came out like a lightning bolt. It went straight into the mouth of the first beast and went all the way through into the other two. They looked like a pig on a stick ready to be put over an open fire.
Kuwabara snickered.
'It worked!' he thought.
"What?!" shouted a surprised Byakko.
Kuwabara couldn't help but snicker and raise his head full of pride.
"They fell for it! I lured your pets over this narrow bridge just so I could skewer them!'
Byakko seemed impressed.
"Smart boy! But..." he said with a fangy grin, "hardly amounts to a deathblow! Although, you should know that." Byakko said with a growl.
"Take a look! They're still hungry!"
Kuwabara turned his attention away from the cat towards the three skewered dog beasts in front of him. His eyes widened as he saw them coming straight at him, seeming to devour his spirit staff.
Kuwabara screamed before turning and running towards the group. Yusuke, who still held on to Joann's bag, pulled her back with him away from the tower. Hiei and Kurama had dodged the running boy as well. They watched in awe as Kuwabara ran around the tower, beasts on his heels. The end of his spirit staff had formed a hook, like a grappling hook, and caught on a loose brick of the tower.
Kurama noticed. It wasn't long before he figured out what the carrot top was thinking. He couldn't help but smile. He was starting to find the carrot top an interesting person. Hiei was a bit impressed, also seeing the plan. Definitely something he hadn't expected from the boy.
Once Kuwabara reached the spot where his staff had hooked onto, he quickly unhooked it and tied it to the end he was holding. He jumped back and watched as his plan worked. The staff was tied together like a rope. The beasts were stuck and had nowhere to go.
"There! How's that?!" Kuwabara said, a huge grin and a laugh, "Monster beastie shish-kebabs on the hoof!"
"Not a very palatable dish, but I'll take it." Yusuke said with a laugh.
"I agree." giggled Joann.
"He fused reiki end to end." Hiei said.
He had figured out the plan but didn't think it would work.
"That's absurd." he added, still unable to believe it, despite seeing it with his own red eyes.
A roar from Byakko caused the group to turn to him. His angry face soon turned to an aggravated grin and laugh.
"You should've let the beasts kill you human."
Kuwabara grinned.
"C'mon, whatchoo really got?!" he said.
He was about to head back to the middle when Joann stopped him.
"Hold on a minute, let's get that wound covered before you make it worse." she said.
Kuwabara blinked at her before a slight blush crossed his cheeks. He snapped out of it before clearing his throat.
"Don't worry about me, Carson-san. The bleeding already stopped, see?" Kuwabara said, pointing to his shoulder.
It had stopped and the blood was starting to dry.
"Doesn't mean it won't get infected." Joann said with a sigh, "And call me Joann!"
"Hey," she said turning to Yusuke.
He had a grin on his face, but it disappeared once Joann turned to him.
"Could you let me go..." she said with a sweat drop.
Yusuke blinked before realizing he was still holding her back by her bag.
"Oh sorry." he said before laughing nervously.
She smiled at him before bending down. She ripped a part of her pant leg. It was already torn up a bit from Genbu. So at this point it was ruined. Not like she wouldn't continue to wear it for training. She ripped up the right pant leg, up to her knee, before making a uneven tear around, taking the entire pant leg from the knee down off.
"What are you doing?!" Kuwabara asked with wide eyes.
"A makeshift gauze." Joann said with a smile.
She ripped it in half to make a long gauze looking material. She gently pulled on his injured arm. He got the hint and bent down. She smiled before gently wrapping the wound. Both had slight blushes on their cheeks. Kurama seemed interested. It seemed the two were an item, or that's what he assumed by their interactions. Yusuke couldn't help but snicker. Hiei looked away, seeming like he didn't care.
Once Joann wrapped the wound, she pulled tight and tied the two ends together, as tight as she could. Kuwabara moved his shoulder and found that it was actually helping.
"Thanks." Kuwabara said with smile.
Joann couldn't help but smile up at him, nodding.
"Stop wasting my time, brat!" Byakko growled.
"You've been wasting my time by not hauling your butt down here!" Kuwabara said, pointing at the cat before going back to the arena.
Byakko's eyes seemed to turn red as he growled.
Once in the middle he pointed at him.
"It's your turn, fur ball! And I'll take you down like him." Kuwabara said before pointing over the beheaded beast at the other end of the arena.
"You little brat!" Byakko growled, "Now, you've made me very, VERY mad!"
Kuwabara mad a mocked scared face.
"I'm so scared..." Kuwabara said before snorting and turning serious.
"Not! You're going to get it now fur butt! You're appetizer was overcooked! And now that your beasts are all tied up, it's your turn pussycat!" Kuwabara said with an excited grin.
Byakko roared before punching a huge chunk of the stone ground below him into rubble.
"You've pushed your luck too far, whelp!" he growled before glaring at the carrot top.
"Fine-I'll come down and kill you myself!"
Kuwabara snorted.
"Knock off the comic book posturing! Hop down here and let's get it on!" growled Kuwabara, getting annoyed with the cat.
"Brat." Byakko growled out before hopping down.
He created a small crater where he landed as well as causing the arena to shake a bit. Kuwabara jumped a bit as he looked up at the tall cat.
"Yoicks!" he yelped, gulping.
"I'll warn you right now that your reiki sword is useless! If that's your only weapon of real power, you don't stand a 100-to-1 chance against me!" Byakko said with a smirk.
"Oh yeah?" Kuwabara said with his own smirk.
He turned serious as he shifted as if he was about to attack.
"Have a taste of it!" he shouted before jumping towards Byakko, raising his sword as he got closer to the cat.
"And we'll see how useless it is!" he shouted, bringing it down, slicing at the cat's front, from his left shoulder down across his chest.
Kuwabara landed behind Byakko. He glanced behind him, a snicker on his lips. It only seemed to make Byakko mader as he roared, turning around. As he turned, he swung his fist down towards Kuwabara. Kuwabara was able to dodge by jumping up into the air. He brought his sword over his head before bringing it down. Byakko didn't even try to avoid it as it sliced through him again; not making a scratch.
Byakko swung his fist again. Kuwabara jumped backwards before jumping back at the cat, swinging his sword across the cat's stomach. Slowly Kuwabara could feel himself getting tired. Sweat began to drip down his face.
'Is it just me or did he get bigger...' Kuwabara thought before dodging another attack.
He swung down again, moving closer to him this time before stumbling behind the cat.
"Excellent! Kuwabara's on the offensive! Size doesn't matter to him in a straight one-on-one!" Yusuke said, a wide grin on his lips.
Joann furrowed her eyebrows. Something about this fight was nagging her. Something that was important and that she should remember. It had been a while since she seen the season one episodes, but she knew it had to be important.
Byakko raised his claws. Kuwabara took the opportunity where Byakko's body was open. He slashed across his chest again before jumping back and away from the cat's claws.
It was here Joann remembered. Her eyes widened.
"It's not working!" she gasped.
The group looked at her.
"Are you watching the same fight?! Kuwabara's making the most hits!" he said with a raised eyebrow.
"That's the problem!' she said before turning towards Kuwabara.
"Kuwabara! Stop hitting him! He's stealing your aura and it's making him stronger!" she shouted.
Kurama's eyes narrowed. It was just as he feared. He felt there was something off. Joann seemed to nail it.
"She's right. If he continues then he will exhaust all of his energy."
Kuwabara glanced over to her.
Yusuke looked at Kurama before turning back to Kuwabara. It was here he realized it was true. Byakko had grown much bigger and Kuwabara had...
"Kuwabara, your sword!" Yusuke shouted.
"My sword?" Kuwabara said, blinking.
He looked down before his eyes widened.
"It shrunk!" Yusuke shouted in awe.
Kuwabara continued to stare at it with wide eyes.
"My secret's out! So what? Will you fight me with your bare hands?!" Byakko laughed.
"Not hardly!" Kuwabara growled before making his sword bigger.
He could feel his aura strain at the power surge.
"Don't do it Kuwabara! It will only make him bigger!" shouted Yusuke.
Joann gritted her teeth. She wanted to rush in there. But there was nothing she could do...
Her eyes widened. She had her baseball bat!
"Kuwabara!" Joann shouted.
Kuwabara had dodged another attack before turning to her. This time Yusuke wasn't quick enough to grab the girl.
"Joann!" Yusuke shouted.
"Take this!" Joann shouted, pulling out the bat and tossing it, the moment she got close to the arena.
It flew in the air for a moment before falling at least eight feet short.
Joann stood there blinking before making a nervous laugh and sweat dropping. Yusuke sweat dropped as did Kuwabara. Kurama sighed while Hiei couldn't help but shake his head.
Byakko looked at her before letting out a huge laugh.
"Pathetic..." he said with a grin.
He turned towards her, seeming to forget Kuwabara.
"Shit..." she mumbled with wide eyes.
"So eager to die. Don't worry wench, you were already next on the menu." he said with a laugh.
Joann made a face making an irk noise. She took a step backwards.
"Why don'tcha work on the first course!" Kuwabara growled.
Byakko turned back to the carrot top. He opened his mouth to say something but Kuwabara stuck his sword right into the cat's mouth.
Joann's eyes widened.
"Kuwabara!" she shouted.
Joann looked over towards the bat. Her heart was beating so quick in her chest it felt as if it would burst out any minute. She heard Kuwabara scream as Byakko began to actually be slurping and sucking out Kuwabara's aura through his sword. At the sight of Kuwabara in trouble, she clenched her hands before rushing towards her bat.
It was here Kuwabara's eyes rolled back into his head. He fell to ground in front of Byakko.
Byakko burped while rubbing his stomach.
Kuwabara growled while struggling to his knees. He shook his head as if clearing it. He stumbled to his feet and struggled to call forth his spirit sword. However he was only able to create a small dagger.
It was here Joann had picked up the bat. She looked at Kuwabara before clutching at the bat.
"Uhn...not done..." Kuwabara was able to breath out between gasps.
"Cripes! His sword...it's shrunk to a dagger!" Yusuke shouted, fear in his eyes and voice.
Kurama looked concern until he noticed that Joann had gotten closer to the battle. He furrowed his eyebrows before his eyes widen.
"You're wobbly boy." laughed Byakko, "Your real ordeal with now begin!"
Byakko slammed his fist into Kuwabara's face, sending him backwards. He skidded on the ground, his spirit dagger dispelling.
"Now for a dose of slow torture." Byakko said with a laugh.
"Hey furball!"
Byakko stopped before turning around. He found a bat hitting him right in the balls. He cried out before putting his paws to the injured area. All boys winched at seeing this action, even Hiei. Yusuke instinctively covered his own crotch.
"Low blow man..." Yusuke said, not meaning it to be a pun.
"You bitch!" Byakko growled, his eyes glaring fiercely at Joann.
Joann felt her heart stop. She wanted to run but her feet felt as if they were glued. Byakko stood up straight and brought his fist into the air.
Yusuke shifted as if he was about to move but Kurama stopped him.
"Leave her alone!" Kuwabara growled, standing up.
His aura had risen significantly, his body slightly glowing.
"Woah! Where did that power come from?!" Yusuke said with wide eyes.
"He might be tapping into his life force." Kurama said with a frown.
"Huh?" Yusuke said.
Byakko turned back to the carrot top.
'It looks like he hasn't grown...' Kuwabara thought as he looked at the cat, 'Doesn't matter. I can't let Joann die, I won't!' Kuwabara thought (1).
"You want my aura?! Well you got it, every last drop!" Kuwabara growled before charging at Byakko.
"Are you crazy!? Why are you giving him what he wants?!" Yusuke shouted.
Joann snapped out of her stupor and got into a fighting position. She was going to try and hit him again. However, Kuwabara had lunged his full grown sword into the cat's stomach. Kuwabara screamed as he could felt his energy being suck out of him. He closed his eyes before his sword flickered. Slowly it vanished.
Joann stood there with wide eyes. Kuwabara took a step backwards his eyes open. They were cloudy for a moment before they rolled back into his head. He fell down on his knees, hands on the ground, panting.
"You are crazy." Laughed Byakko, "Can't fathom why you'd let me have the last of your aura! Was it to save this girl?"
Byakko said, looking back at Joann before laughing.
"I may be full now, but there is always room for dessert. After I give you a few good stomps!" Byakko said, raising his foot.
"Stop! Now! Or I'll kill you!" screamed Yusuke.
"Get away from him!" growled Joann.
Yusuke stopped dead in his tracks as Joann had the bat pulled back.
Byakko felt a hard hit to his back. It caused him to stumble a bit. It was a very powerful hit. However, it wasn't strong enough to get him down. He growled as he turned around. He was going to say something when the bat smacked him good and hard in his overly stuffed gut. He grunted at the pain and covered the area with his clawed paws.
"You little.." he growled out.
Joann was scared for a moment before shaking away her fear. She stood in a defensive position, ready for another attack.
Byakko was about to move when his stomach made a funny noise. A pain filled his gut as he held it.
A chuckle from behind him made him turn. Kuwabara was standing on his feet, a huge grin on his beaten face.
"Bit of a glutton, ain't ya, puss-puss?"
"Kuwabara! He wasn't down, just out for a second!" shouted a relieved Yusuke.
Smoke began to build up around Byakko. It seemed all of the aura he absorbed was too much for the cat to handle. Byakko's eyes widened as a hole opened right where Joann had hit him.
Byakko made an odd noise before he flew off into the sky like a busted balloon.
"Byakko wasn't expecting to get so much aura out of Kuwabara! It gave him colic! And the hit to his stomach had been the nail to pop him, so to speak." Kurama said with a relieved smile.
He was fairly impressed by the two. Kuwabara was more than he seemed. Not to mention, Joann had been almost as unpredictable as the detective.
"Worst case of gas I ever saw! What a moron!" Yusuke laughed.
"Tain't funny Urameshi. I almost bought it! Gotta reabsorb as much of my aura as I can." Kuwabara said, concentrating.
"Man check out the fireworks! Scratch another monster!" Yusuke said, watching Byakko fly around the room like a deflated balloon.
Byakko's body continued to fly for a little longer, Kuwabara's aura escaping and being reabsorbed into Kuwabara's body. After all of Kuwabara's aura was gone, Byakko's body crashed into the tower the cat had been standing on at the beginning of the battle.
Joann let out a sigh before falling to her knees. It seemed she had gotten exhausted, but it was mostly from having to fight back her own fear. Now that the danger was gone, she couldn't stand.
"Carson-san!" Kuwabara shouted before running towards.
The rest of the group rushed over to the girl.
"You okay?" Yusuke asked, looking the girl over.
She hadn't been touched by the cat, or he hadn't seen her get hit. Kurama also looked her over. He could tell it was just the adrenaline had left her body and it caused her to become exhausted.
"She'll be fine. Her adrenaline ran out, right Joann?" Kurama said with a warm smile.
Joann let out a couple breaths before nodding. She made a nervous laugh before struggling to her feet. Yusuke had helped her up, earning him a slight look from Kuwabara. Kurama and Hiei noticed the look. Yusuke was oblivious.
"Okay, you're officially done. You helped out enough, but it's time to let the rest of us handle the next batch, k?" Yusuke said with a grin.
He was secretly hoping she wouldn't interfere in his fight; the fight junkie inside him would be upset.
Joann laughed and nodded.
"Even if I wanted to, I don't think I can handle another round." she laughed.
Kuwabara nodded.
A roar echoed throughout the room. It was so fierce that it caused the group to freeze. Joann tensed up. The anger and hate was overwhelming and the bloodlust was worse than before.
"Uh-oh! Look!" Kurama said pointing to where Byakko had crashed.
There stood a battle ridden Byakko. He looked more than pissed and was glaring down at the group. His eyes fell right at Kuwabara and Joann. Joann could feel those eyes, as could Kuwabara. Both couldn't help the small shiver that crawled down their spine.
"Is he immortal?!" Yusuke shouted, shock in his eyes and voice.
"I'll admit I'm impressed. Your tactics and teamwork was effective. To show my respect, I'll lead you to my chamber..." Byakko said before narrowing his eyes, "to the room from hell!"
(End of Chapter 6)
(1)- Kuwabara would only say Urameshi to his face, unless upset with him or trying to be serious. Whenever he thinks of him, he calls him Yusuke. So I just applied this to Joann. He is respectful to her by calling her Carson-san. But in his mind he refers to her as Joann.