A.N. After writing almost non-stop for the past few days, Chapter 17 is ready. Sakura has an intense training session with Master Shinsuke that she desperately needs before the next case.

Damaged Forest Spirit: Thankyou! It's such a relief to be done until February. Having more time to write is definitely a good thing. Sakura learns a lot with Genkai, but you won't see it all this chapter. It'll be revealed as they battle through Maze Castle. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your kind words. You're wonderful!

Grimmjowlover314: Thankyou! I'm so glad you like the story so far. So you want Sakura to fight the Saint Beast and deal with Hiei? You might just get your wish! I'll keep writing, and I'd love you to keep reviewing!

Hina714: Sakura may just have a fight of her own VERY soon. She's certainly made leaps in the last few chapters. I think you'll like where she is in this installment. Kura isn't content to sit on the sidelines anymore ;) I'm so glad you love the story. There's lots more to come, and I can't wait for the Dark Tournament either!

hw0134160: I don't want to give too much away so I'll just say you're on the right track, but there might be a few twists along the way. Sakura definitely needs to see what she's capable of. Please keep reviewing, you're awesome!

Wolfs child: Sakura and Yusuke go through a lot with the training, but you'll have to keep reading to see it all. You'll find out a bit in this chapter, but I promise all will be revealed throughout the Maze Castle Arc. I'm working on Chapter 18 now.

Please follow, favourite and review. It helps me keep going! You're all fantastic, and Sakura agrees with me.

Chapter 17

"Excellent, Sakura! Hold it! Stay with it!"

Master Shinsuke circled his student. Sakura was sitting on the floor of his cave in a lotus position, her face screwed up with intense concentration.

"I will not fail," she said firmly.

"You can do this, dear girl. Stretch beyond your limits!"

Sakura's third training session with Master Shinsuke was proving to be the toughest one yet. Now that she'd mastered connecting with the people closest to her, she was currently working on expanding her range and strengthening her overall mind power. Droplets of sweat were appearing on her forehead, and her breathing had become shallow from the effort.

"Good, and release!"

Sakura relinquished her focus. "Look, Master. I didn't collapse this time!" Her eyes were shining with excitement.

"You truly are making great progress, Sakura," Master Shinsuke smiled warmly. "But I do believe it's time for you to rest for a moment,"

Sakura shook her head. "Master Shin, I can still keep going! I can push past my limits, like you said!"

The old man paused. He feared Sakura would take it too far and ignore her breaking point.

"I'm fine, Master," Sakura insisted. "Just a little further and I'll be able to cast the net wider -"

Master Shin held up a hand. "Not yet, my dear," he said firmly. "Overexertion is simply counter-productive. Besides, there is something important I wish to discuss with you. Shall we return to the garden? I'll make tea,"

"Of course, sir," Sakura shakily got to her feet and followed him out of the cave, through the mystic waterfall and back to the field of flowers she so admired.

The plants seemed to be awaiting her return, and immediately formed into a comfortable chair, then the flowery vine delivered a hot cup of tea. Master Shinsuke's own blend. Sakura drained two cups before she remembered why they were out in the field.

"What did you want to talk about, Master?"

Shin didn't answer for a moment. He sat quietly sipping from his own cup. "We seem to be making progress on expanding your parameters, and especially after your time with Genkai. First I want to know more about your individual experience. What we are actually working on is mind connection, or tsunagu technique,"

"Tsunagu," Sakura repeated. Connect.

"It is a specialised method, and the process appears as a different visual to all who use it. Sakura, when you enter someone's mind, how does it look in your head?"

Sakura had never voiced this aloud before. She wasn't sure if her explanation would make sense. "The world in my head appears as a black void, but there's points of entry. Almost like a corridor, if you will. Doors. So far there's four, and each is unique to the person it represents,"

"And who do these doors belong to?"

Sakura summoned them in her mind. "Yusuke's is the largest, because our connection is the strongest. His door is green, like that outfit he wears, and it has a kind of sheen that's the same colour as his Spirit Gun. Botan's door is shades of pink. Keiko's door is more of a lavender colour. And Kuwabara's door is a dark brown with a flaming Spirit Sword on it. It sounds lame, I know, but that's what I see,"

Master Shin stroked his beard thoughtfully. "I see. A set of doors. That would suggest you take these connections very seriously, and would not misuse them or take advantage of someone's trust,"

"The people in my life are...very important to me," Sakura mumbled, embarrassed.

Master Shin looked at her warmly. "Let us leave that aside for now. There was more I needed to talk about. Genkai's challenge certainly broke a few barriers, did it not?"

"Well, yes. It did, and I never expected that since I wasn't actively participating,"

Master Shin eyed Sakura with a fond smile. "You may not have been from a physical standpoint, but emotionally and spiritually, you were the most valuable player of all,"

"How so?" Sakura thought she knew the answer, but wanted to hear him say it.

"I have been friends with Master Genkai for many, many years. I know her power and abilities. Her techniques and strength are astonishing. But you were able to achieve something admirable. You broke through Genkai's seal, allowing you to now communicate telepathically. And then you were able to fight off the Suimin, or sleep technique. As Genkai said, nobody has ever been able to do so, and you have only begun to understand and apply your power. Do you know why you were able to do so?"

Sakura didn't know what to say for fear of being wrong, so she shrugged. "Blind, dumb luck?"

"It was the sheer force of love for your twin brother, Sakura. It was stronger than anything Genkai did,"

"Love?" Sakura stared blankly. "That's what did it?"

"Yes indeed," Master Shin said. "Love truly is the most powerful force on earth. I told you in our first lesson that your empathy and compassion was the formation of your gift, and love is the driving force behind it. Your brother was in danger, Sakura, and that is what caused you to succeed in saving him,"

Sakura's hands were shaking so much her cup was beginning to rattle. "I couldn't save him though," she whispered. "Not really. He still got hurt and I couldn't protect him,"

The flowered vine gently took the cup from Sakura and curled its end around her finger as if to comfort her.

Master Shinsuke placed a hand on her head. "What is holding you back right now is your fear, Sakura," he said gently.

"I'm not afraid, sir. Really, I don't fear training with you or Genkai," Determined, Sakura stood up. "I will overcome anything in my way. Let's get back to work, there's still so much I have to learn -"

Master Shin shook his head. "That is not what I meant. I know you do not have any reservations in that regard. Come, let us return to the cave,"

For a moment, Sakura stood stock still. She didn't want to go back anymore. She didn't want to move, and she didn't want to talk about what she suspected Master Shinsuke had in mind.

A soft nudge from behind caused her to turn around in alarm. The plants seemed to be gently prodding her forwards. Sakura took a deep breath.

Be brave.

Back through the mystic waterfall, into the chasm in the rock. Master Shinsuke was waiting patiently.

"Sakura, I want to help you,"

"You are!" Sakura said quickly. "That's why I'm training so hard, I want to get stronger and protect people I care about!"

"Calm yourself, child," Master Shin closed his eyes. "It is imperative that we address this trauma correctly,"

Trauma. The words slammed into Sakura like a kick in the stomach.

"You know, don't you," she whispered.

"I do," he nodded sagely.

Sakura couldn't say it out loud. Her throat was too tight. "I really don't like to talk about that, sir," she mumbled. "It's so...humiliating,"

"Do you remember what I told you the first time you came to train with me? It is only by facing the past that we can learn from it and move forward. Fear does not make you weak, dear girl," the old man said soothingly. "And I am not here to judge, only to assist,"

"If I talk about it, I'm afraid the weight of it will crush me. I just want it to go away,"

"I promise you, it will not, for you have already survived the experience,"

Sakura swallowed hard. She hadn't thought about it like that. "Ok…" she said in a trembling voice. "Then let's talk about what happened with H-Hiei,"

"Mahō no bōru ga arawareru!" At the mage's command, the Orakuru swirled to life. "You can do this, Kura. I know you can,"

Master Shinsuke had never referred to Sakura by her pet name before, and it was this more than anything that steeled her resolve.

Maybe if I want it to go away, I have to acknowledge the problem.

Sakura reached out a hand to her mentor, who took it. She wasn't alone in this. She never had been.

"Keiko!" Sakura cried. "Get away from her!"

The demon looked up to see who had joined them. He saw the black-haired girl take a protective stance in front of Keiko's form. Keiko had no visible injuries, but that was cold comfort at best.

"And who might you be, girl?" Hiei asked in a voice that sounded thoroughly disinterested.

"You won't lay a finger on Keiko," Sakura growled. "And I'm guessing that's the Shadow Sword you stole from Koenma?"

Hiei gave Sakura a cold, appraising look which quickly morphed into comprehension. "Wait...you're the twin sister of the Spirit Detective. Sakura, isn't it?"

"So what if I am?" Sakura said defensively.

"Perhaps you could prove useful to me as well…" Hiei purred, considering the new option presented to him. His grin made Sakura shudder. "I only intended to use Keiko for my amusement, but how can I pass up this opportunity?"

"You're crazy if you think I'm going to help you!" Sakura snapped. "And I won't let you hurt Keiko!"

"Too late," Hiei smirked.

Sakura's fury ignited. She raised her hands into a triangle. The three powerful orbs began crackling to life.

Far from intimidated, Hiei began to laugh. "Go ahead. Try your little trick, Sakura, for all the good it will do you!"

"You asked for it. Spirit Blast!" Sakura's magenta energy flew from her hands towards her opponent, only for him to vanish the second before the orbs crashed into him.

"Huh?! Where did he…?"

The schoolgirl frantically turned to look behind her. Just then, something heavy hit the side of her head and the world faded from view.

Master Shin looked at his protégée to see all the colour drained from her face, eyes wide and horrified.

"Breathe, Sakura. It's alright,"

Sakura took a deep, shuddering breath. "If I'd gotten to Keiko quicker…"

"Enough!" Master Shin's tone was firmer than he'd ever been. "Do not blame yourself for something that is not your fault. You are missing the bigger picture, and without understanding, you will not be ready to train with Genkai,"

"What do you mean, Master?" Sakura had no idea what he was talking about. Hiei had knocked her out and abducted them both. What else was there to see than that?

"You faced the demon Hiei without hesitation, despite the power imbalance. You confronted him without fear,"

"I wasn't thinking about that, to be perfectly honest. I was more worried about getting Keiko away from him," Sakura shook her head.

"It is what I said before. It's love, Sakura. You love Keiko, and that overtook anything else. Even before Yusuke arrived to rescue you, you managed to stay calm. You analysed the situation and stalled. You were not afraid of Hiei,"

"Of course I was scared!" the girl snapped. "He tried to cut me with that damn sword! He had a knife at my throat, tried to strangle me. I was completely at his mercy!"

"Your fear is not so much related to Hiei himself. I am referring to your fear of not being able to save everyone. That is truly what terrifies you,"

"Of course it is!" Sakura burst out, and began to cry. "I couldn't stop him from taking Keiko, and he tried to kill Yusuke while I lay there like a useless idiot! Yusuke and Botan said it's not my fault, but it is! If I hadn't been so damn stupid, none of that would have...happened,"

Sakura started sobbing uncontrollably. Master Shin embraced her softly and let her cry as long as she needed to. He didn't say anything. Sakura couldn't remember ever being held like this, as if by a father.

"Oh God, Master Shin, why do I see it in my dreams every night?" she moaned. "Why do I see Yusuke and Keiko getting killed because of me? And at Genkai's tournament, I panicked so much that I collapsed. Will this...terror ever go away?!"

"I must be honest. Sometimes wounds linger as scars, even after healing. But what does a scar actually show? It proves you were strong enough to go through something painful,"

Sakura looked at him, slightly calmer. "It does?"

"Indeed," the mage smiled. "You are compassionate and deeply empathetic, as you know. You will always fear your loved ones being in danger, but it does not have to control you. You weren't afraid of Hiei, and I do not believe you are afraid of him now,"

Sakura wiped her eyes. "I… I'm sorry, Master,"

"There is no need to apologise. This was an important part of your training. Now that you have acknowledged this, you may be ready to start training with Genkai. The stronger you are, the less afraid you will be,"

"Yes, sir. I understand,"

"I will see you next week for our next session, correct? We still have to work on expanding your range. Genkai's technique will strengthen your body, mind and spirit power, which will allow us to move forward in your training exponentially. We must also work on separating your bond from Yusuke so you won't feel his pain in battle,"

Sakura nodded. "Thank you Sir. I'll see you soon,"

Botan's oar swooped silently to the ground into a soft landing.

"Are you ready, Sakura?" Botan looked anxiously at her passenger's red eyes.

"Absolutely," Sakura smiled. "After that session with Master Shin, I'm ready for anything,"

"I'll be back in the morning to check on you," Botan hugged her friend. She was growing very fond of Yusuke's twin. "Good luck!"

It was strange to be back at Genkai's compound. Without the crowds from two weeks previously, an eerie ambience had fallen over the place. Nervously, Sakura approached the main house.

I can do this. I'm ready.

"Well, look who finally decided to show up," Genkai appeared at the top of the stairs. "I've been waiting for you, Missy. Now follow me,"

Sakura obeyed, and the old woman led her to a large training room. It was mostly empty aside from some strange looking objects. A block with a small spike caught her eye.

"You don't need to worry about that one yet, kiddo. And I know you want to see your dimwit twin, but he's sleeping with the snakes right now. You can see him tomorrow,"

"Snakes?" Surely that was a joke.

Genkai stood at one end of the room. "He tells me he's taught you some basic hand-to-hand combat, right?"

Sakura nodded. "Yes, but I still have a lot to learn,"

Genkai gave her a faint smile. "At least you're aware of your limitations. Unlike some people," she narrowed her eyes.

Sakura didn't want to know how much lip Yusuke must have given her. But Genkai had a razor sharp tongue of her own. Between the two of them, that insult tennis match must have gone on for hours.

"Sorry about him," she began, only to be cut off.

"I'm not asking you to apologise, Missy! I'm asking you to show me what you've got. Master Shinsuke told me what you've been doing with him, but I can't start training you unless I see what I have to work with,"

Genkai didn't move, but Sakura immediately dropped into a sparring stance.

"You got it old lady. I know this will be tragic, but I'll happily show you what little moves I have!"

Atsuko twisted a strand of hair around her finger. She seemed unconcerned by Keiko's irritated face.

"Today marks two months. And Yusuke swears it's something important. He gives me a phone call every couple of weeks, so I know he's still alive. I wish he'd tell me what kind of camp this is, but that's Yusuke for you!" Atsuko smiled.

"I told you, Mother," Sakura appeared around the corner, tea towel in hand. "It's a military style boot camp," She looked at Keiko sympathetically. "He won't be gone much longer, cross my heart,"

Keiko sighed. "I can't help wondering if it's even worth waiting for him,"

"Oh Keiko, cheer up!" Atsuko beamed. "One thing I've had to learn now is that Yusuke always comes back!"

"I've dried the dishes, Mother. Are you ready to go, Keiko?" Sakura threw on her jacket.

Atsuko tugged the end of her French braid. "See you soon, kiddo,"

Sakura slid an arm around Keiko's shoulders. Keiko gasped. Sakura stopped walking.

"Something wrong?"

Keiko felt her friend's arm. "I don't understand. Kura, have you been...working out?"

"You could say that," Sakura grinned, flexing her more muscular arm.

Keiko looked at her in awe. Sakura had always had a petite frame, but a soft figure. Delicate. Now her body was toned, athletic, and even her general aura seemed to exude more confidence than usual.

"Sure wasn't easy though. Genkai was tougher than your average boot camp..."

Sakura leapt out of the way as Genkai swung at her again.

"Pathetic!" the old lady yelled. "At this rate you won't last more than two seconds in a real fight!"

Sakura's expression darkened. "Then let's keep trying 'til I last for three seconds!"

She sprang into the air and aimed a hard punch which Genkai easily blocked. But Sakura had been expecting this. She landed on her feet and prepared her attack.

"Think fast, you old bat. SPIRIT BLAST!"

Genkai looked almost lazily at the triad soaring towards her. "Using this one so soon, Missy? How predictable!"

"I was hoping you'd say that!"

Genkai turned, shocked, as Sakura appeared behind her. With a shout, her spin kick connected, and Genkai went down. Sakura bent over, exhausted. Her hair was plastered to her face with sweat.

"Diversionary tactics," she panted. "I distracted you with my blast which bought me time to get behind you for a sneak attack,"

Keiko's brow was creased in slight suspicion. "Genkai? What is that supposed to mean?"

Sakura laughed. "Just some night classes, that's all. But enough about me. You really miss Yusuke, don't you?"

Keiko's face fell. "What's really going on, Kura? Where has he been all this time?"

"Like I said, he's at a training camp. You heard Mother. He'll be back really soon. As a matter of fact… "

"Easy for her to say," Keiko frowned. "Mothers are obligated to care,"

Sakura was about to reply, but Keiko's attention was diverted. She looked behind Sakura with wide eyes.

"Long time no see, huh!"

Yusuke's hair was longer and slightly messy. He walked with an unkempt manner, but his smile was bright.

Sakura smiled. "I was trying to tell you he'd be back today"

"Y-Yusuke!" Keiko ran forward and threw herself into his arms, crying. Yusuke grinned at Sakura over Keiko's head.

"Hey Squirt,"

"Welcome back, bro,"

Yusuke gave Kuwabara a side eye look. "So do your arms bend in the right direction now?

The Urameshi twins sat with Kuwabara on a nearby beach while Keiko ordered milkshakes for them all.

"Yep," Kuwabara grinned. "With Genkai's healing powers I was only in bed for a day after the fight. And I think she even made me stronger," he raised a giant fist. "I can try 'em on you if you want!"

"Well that didn't take long," Sakura sighed.

Yusuke laughed. "Buddy, I'm afraid they'd send me to jail. After what I learned from the old lady, fighting you would be cruel,"

"So was the training very hard?" Kuwabara asked.

Yusuke's face clouded over. "Let's just say I'll be having nightmares for the next four years 'cause of all that crap I went through,"

Curious, Sakura took a peek inside Yusuke's thoughts...

"Use the Spirit Wave to float on top of the spike,"

Yusuke balanced upside down on the block with the spike using the very tip of his finger. His whole body screamed in protest.

Genkai was on her own block without a care in the world. "Good. Now we'll hold this for twelve hours,"

"I...hate you!" Yusuke snapped.

Genkai and Yusuke faced each other in the familiar training room.

"This will be an exercise in blocking energy attacks. Careful, this could kill you,"

Yusuke whimpered slightly. Genkai shot out a beam of spirit energy that knocked him flat on his back, several metres away.

"We're not going to stop this until you don't move an inch," Genkai informed him. Yusuke couldn't move or say anything. Genkai sloshed a bucket of water over him. "Now get up!"

"...Then I sat and meditated on a bonfire for a week, oh and I had to sleep with snakes for three weeks-" Yusuke continued.

Kuwabara looked deeply disturbed. "Ugh! Forget I asked! Just listening to everything you did gives me the creeps!"

"Yeah," Yusuke agreed. "But it was worth it for all the tricks I learned,"

"I'm inclined to agree. I found Genkai's training most illuminating," Sakura said airily.

"You only showed up at night, you damn brat!" Yusuke frowned.

"Don't act like you know what happened, idiot!" Sakura shot back. "Aside from that one session we worked together, nine times out of ten you were asleep when I trained!"

"Wait, what?" Startled, Kuwabara glanced from Yusuke to Sakura. "You got to train with Genkai too? But you didn't even compete!"

"She made an exception," Sakura shrugged. "It wasn't as intense as what Yusuke went through. But I've also been working super hard on my tsunagu technique, so it balanced out,"

Yusuke raised an eyebrow. "Tsunagu? You didn't tell me about that!"

"You didn't give me the chance, Brainiac," Sakura giggled. "But I've learned a few new secrets as well, "

"Now that's what I want to see!" Kuwabara exclaimed.

"See what?" Keiko chose that moment to approach with their shakes. Sakura had the sense to keep her face neutral but the boys did not.

"Uh… yeah. Kuwabara was saying he wanted to see a movie, right?" Yusuke improvised wildly.

"Yeah, movies! I love them!" Kuwabara played along.

Oscar gold, you two. Sakura didn't know what was more fun, scaring the pair of them with a sudden telepathic message or the fact that they couldn't do anything about it.

Keiko got excited. "I know a great foreign art film!"

"Sounds delightful!" Sakura beamed. "Come on boys, let's go get cultured,"

Neither Yusuke or Kuwabara looked impressed, but again they could do nothing.

The group began their walk to the movie theatre. Yusuke tugged at Sakura's sleeve and tapped his head. Sakura nodded.

You hear me bro?

Thanks for tag teaming on me you damn brat! Yusuke sounded furious.

Come off it, Yusuke. Keiko's missed you. Who knows, you might enjoy it.

Yusuke growled. So what's with this Tsunagu technique? You want to fill me in?

Tsunagu is my training with Master Shinsuke. It means connect. I'm working on extending my telepathy range and strengthening my spirit energy. Genkai's techniques were more about my physical strength and fighting skills, but the two are intertwined. I doubt I'm as strong as you but I reckon I could hold my own in a fight now. Sakura smiled at her twin. He'd grown quite a bit the past two months.

Yusuke smiled back. Well hopefully it won't come to that, Squirt. Let's not think about it now. I just want to chill out.

Keiko was giggling madly a few steps ahead.

"I haven't seen Keiko this happy in months, " Kuwabara commented. "You guys must really have something for her to be this way,"

Yusuke sipped his milkshake and didn't reply. Irritated, Kuwabara clinched Yusuke in a headlock. "Don't act like you're not excited too! How do you think Keiko feels when you pretend you don't care?"

"Hey, you're squishing my milkshake!" Yusuke complained, but paused suddenly. His eyes flashed to a seemingly empty spot in the street nearby.

Kura, do you see that?

Sakura looked. Yes.

"Yusuke!" Keiko pouted slightly. "Stop wrestling. The movie's about to start!"

Sakura saw the look on her twin's face. Something was wrong.

Yusuke plastered an exaggerated smile on his face. "Hey Keiko, I've got to grab something at the store first," he said in a would-be casual voice.

"What?" Keiko was surprised.

"Yeah, and Kuwabara has to get something too. Right?!" He fixed Kuwabara with a hard stare. "We'll be back in five minutes, tops. Would you mind saving us some seats?"

"Well, if it's quick I'll come with you," Keiko suggested.

"No, you see it's kind of embarrassing, actually. I-It's a guy thing, you know?" Yusuke was trying to hide his panic. Sakura stood silently. "We'll be back soon, ok?" He dragged Kuwabara off.

"Fine, we'll be in the centre row!" Keiko looked at Sakura. "What do you think that's about?"

Kura, are you listening?

Sakura kept smiling to hide her concern. The spike in spirit energy had not escaped her newly attuned senses. What's going on? What do you need me to do?

You saw those things, right? We're being followed. I need you to keep Keiko safe while we deal with them.

Sakura grabbed Keiko's arm and pulled her into the side alley. "Keiko, you need to listen to me very carefully, ok?"

Keiko was alarmed by Sakura's intensity. "Kura? What are you doing?"

Sakura locked eyes with her friend. "Do you trust me?"

"W-what's going on, Kura? You're scaring me,"

"Do you trust me?" Sakura repeated.

Keiko looked at Sakura's deadly serious face. Not one trace of her usual smile lingered. She nodded slowly. "Of course I do, Kura. But…"

"There isn't much time, so you need to pay attention. It's a long story, but Yusuke has a new job. One that involves… dangerous activities. That's why he was away on that training camp. I don't have time to explain everything now, but he needs my help. You need to go into the movie theatre right now, and then go straight home, got it?"

Keiko stared in shock. "New job? What are you talking about?"

Sakura seized Keiko's hands. "Keiko, please. I swear I will explain everything to you later, and I do mean everything, but I need to know you're safe. Can you promise me that?"

White in the face and still looking completely bewildered, Keiko nodded.

"Don't worry, I'll see you soon," Sakura raced off to find her brother, leaving Keiko behind.

Meanwhile, Yusuke had led Kuwabara to an empty backstreet. They kept walking casually, but Kuwabara was giggling.

"So what things do you wanna buy with just guys, huh? You need some itching cream or something?" Kuwabara sniggered.

"Shut up, I'm not buying stuff," Yusuke said darkly. "We're being followed,"

Sure enough, behind the boys was a gang of no less than five members, all wearing the same grey school uniform with skin to match. They marched in perfect sync, expressionless, but with intention.

"I caught a glimpse of them at the movie theatre," Yusuke explained quietly. "Kura will keep Keiko safe, so don't worry about the girls,"

"Well, we've got the time," Kuwabara replied. "I say we have some fun with them,"

They had reached an empty lot by this point. "You jokers are in trouble now!" Kuwabara boasted. "My name's Kuwabara, the number one thug at Sarayashiki Junior High,"

"Ha!" Yusuke coughed. "No sense telling lies!"

All five men pulled out flick knives. Now that they were closer, the boys could see their eyes were a deadly shade of crimson.

"I-I don't think these guys are playing around," Kuwabara yelped. "We haven't even started and they're already pulling knives,"

The man in the centre stumbled forward. "Must kill, must kill," he repeated and lunged at Yusuke, knife out.

Yusuke side-stepped the attack and retaliated with a swift kick, knocking him over. The rest of the gang surged at them and slashed the blades. Kuwabara fended off one, while Yusuke managed to get another in a headlock.

"Think fast!" another voice yelled.

Sakura leapt from the fence she'd climbed over into the path of the final two attackers who charged at her. She seized a tuft of hair from each of them and slammed their heads together.

"Hey Squirt, duck!" Yusuke called. Sakura hit the ground as Yusuke hurled the body of the man he'd just knocked out into the last two.

"Are they human?" Kuwabara gasped.

"Worry about that later. Let's focus on fighting them first!" Sakura said, taking up a stance beside the boys.

All five figures rose to their feet. "Must kill, must kill, must kill," they all whined.

"Talk about a one track mind," Sakura sighed.

"What do we do now?" Kuwabara asked.

Yusuke pushed Sakura behind him. "Now we leave it to me!" He growled, charging up his spirit energy.

The force of it startled Kuwabara. "Woah, is this one of your new techniques?"

The entire lot was bathed in the light coming from Yusuke's hand. "I'll take that as a stupid question," he smirked.

The five men leapt into the air, about to rain down on the three teenagers.

"SHOTGUN!" Yusuke roared, and hurled his arm forward. A hail of spirit energy particles hammered their enemy. The sound of the attack and the squeals from their targets was deafening. And then the light faded and all five bodies hit the ground.

"That's crazy, Urameshi," Kuwabara gasped. "It's like you're shooting a whole spray of Spirit Gun bullets all at once!"

"Well yeah, like I said, it's a shotgun," Yusuke smiled.

"Much better than last time, bro," Sakura grinned.

Yusuke turned to her, annoyed. "I'd like to see you do any better, you damn brat! And why are you even here? I told you to keep Keiko safe!"

"I did," Sakura crossed her arms. "She's safe. You needed me more,"

Kuwabara turned to Sakura. "Kura, those were some serious moves! Since when do you fight like that?"

"Since Genkai, or weren't you paying attention?" Sakura rolled her eyes. "I still have a lot of work to do, but I'm pretty sure I could kick your ass if I had to,"

Before Kuwabara could reply, Yusuke had directed attention to the unconscious gang on the ground. "Who the hell are these guys?" he bent down to inspect them closer.

"They don't look like demons," Sakura muttered. "They seem almost human, but their energy is strange. It feels...corrupted,"

Kuwabara snapped his head to the side. "Hold on! I feel something really strange around us. I don't think it's very human…"

Yusuke stepped closer to Sakura. "Stay close to me," he said under his breath.

"Look, over there!" Sakura hissed. The three of them looked to where Sakura indicated and saw a mysterious figure in a trilby hat and a long trench coat peeking around the corner.

Kuwabara pointed. "Something like that!"

The figure squealed and began to run.

"Get him!" Kuwabara gave chase, followed closely by Yusuke and Sakura.

They followed the fugitive through the narrow alleyway and around the corner. He was about to make his way through another one when they heard a bang and the figure flew backwards.

Gingerly, the trio approached the blind spot and looked to see what could have happened.

"Now that is teamwork," said a high, clear voice.

Yusuke jumped. "Botan?!"

Botan stood before them apparently dressed for the apocalypse. Instead of her pink kimono, she was wearing white boots, tight red pants, a black and red biker jacket and was carrying a softball bat.

Kuwabara melted. "Hey, it's the pretty girl! Have you thought about me?!"

Sakura smacked him on the back of the head. "Get ahold of yourself Romeo!" she growled. "Botan, I wondered if you might be showing up soon,"

Botan glanced down at the creature she'd just knocked out. "I've been shadowing that one since he slipped through the barrier two days ago,"

Sakura went and finally got a decent look at the creature they'd been chasing. Despite being dressed for a film noir, he was not human. The green skin speckled with purple spots was proof enough of that.

"So, what is he?" Kuwabara asked.

"He looks like he grew up too close to a nuclear plant," said Yusuke.

"I'm quite certain he's a spy from the place you'll be going as your next mission," Botan began.

Yusuke nearly exploded. "Ok, Botan. You can stop right there! I got back from Grandma's evil boot camp today and I deserve a vacation. Why don't you call back in two years?!"

Before Sakura could punch him, Botan spoke. "Then I guess you don't mind everyone in the city being turned into a zombie?"

"Zombie?!" Sakura was sure she'd misheard. What was this, The Walking Dead?

"Does that question have a point?" Yusuke snorted. "OW! What the hell was that for, you damn brat?!"

Sakura glared at him. "Just shut up and listen, genius,"

"Thank you Sakura," Botan smiled sweetly, but then turned serious. "Koenma was given a message yesterday," Botan said. "From the City of Ghosts and Apparitions. The Four Saint Beasts want immediate immigration into the Living World,"

Sakura was listening intently, but Yusuke didn't look worried. "I don't see what all the fuss is about. If Koenma's in charge, then why can't he just turn down the request? And who are these stupid Saint Beasts?"

Botan's expression darkened. "They are four of the most notorious criminals in all of the Spirit World. 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 into a booby-trapped fortress. Since then a whole city has formed at its base, filled with vile crooks who view these beasts like gods. The City of Ghosts and Apparitions,"

Botan led them back to the five people they'd fought earlier. "Why don't you take a look at these boys you knocked out?"

The twins and Kuwabara looked down and gasped. A small winged green insect-like thing had hauled itself out of the mouth of one of the boys. It flapped away as Kuwabara retched.

Sakura went slightly green. "Shades of Sakamoto," she cringed at the memory.

"Ugh!" Yusuke looked revolted. "Tell me I didn't just see a bug crawl from his throat!"

Botan watched the insect fly off. "They're called Makai insects and they're a parasite from the darker parts of the Spirit World. 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,"

Yusuke still looked sick. "Well can't we tell people? I mean, there's got to be a cure!"

Sakura ground her teeth together. "We still can't cure the common cold, Yusuke! What can humans possibly do against demon pests?"

"There is, actually," Botan put a hand on Sakura's shoulder. "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 thing on the human's minds," she said sadly.

"Then what the hell are we supposed to do?" Yusuke demanded.

"The only way to rescue the city is to kill the Makai insects, and the only way to do that is by destroying the whistle, which the enemies possess,"

Yusuke blinked. "A whistle?"

Botan nodded. "Without the whistle sustaining frequency, the Makai can't live outside of Spirit World,"

"I get it!" Sakura said excitedly. "It's like how insects are attracted to light! But in this case, a frequency pitch!"

"Well, essentially yes," Botan agreed.

Yusuke looked thoughtful. "So, how long do we have before these beasts leave their castle and come to earth themselves?"

"At this point, they can't," Botan said. "For years, we've 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," Yusuke nodded. "So they give you the whistle if you open up the wall,"

"Instead, we'll make a small breach in the wall to let you in. Eventually they'll find this hole themselves,"

"And what if I'm not able to beat them?" Yusuke asked, looking directly at Botan and Sakura.

"I don't think I have to tell you what would happen if all the demons from that city were unleashed on Earth," Botan said solemnly. Yusuke and Sakura had a sudden image of the chaos and devastation from an invasion of that magnitude.

Sakura shuddered. "No, no way. Not on my watch,"

Yusuke shook his head. "I have to be honest, Botan. This takes the record for confusing,"

"Just remember the basics. Destroy the whistle and defeat the beasts and the case will be closed,"

"Ok!" Yusuke huffed. "I just can't believe Koenma expects me to take on a whole frickin' city of demons alone. Don't they send teams out for this kind of thing?!"

Sakura grabbed his arm. "Who said anything about you going alone?"

Yusuke scowled. "Not a chance, Squirt. It's too dangerous,"

"What about me, Urameshi?" Kuwabara had apparently recovered enough from his retching attack to volunteer.

Botan began to panic. "Oh, Kuwabara, there's no such thing as demons! Yusuke and I are just joking. Sakura's just playing along. Aren't twins just the trickiest?!"

Kuwabara frowned. "Look, I'm not dumb. Or blind," He snatched the Makai insect out of the air and crushed it in his enormous hand. "We both know I can see supernatural stuff a whole lot better than Yusuke or Sakura. And I'm not gonna sit around my house while they don't see things and let big monsters and insects take over my city! 'Cause I'm Kuwabara, and in case you guys forgot, I've got a sword!" He finished rather dramatically.

Botan and Yusuke were staring in disbelief. Sakura had a hand pressed over her face, willing herself not to laugh.

"Well Yusuke, I guess there's no point in arguing with the eager," Botan said wearily. "Follow me,"

She led them to a nearby door which opened in a cloud of dust. Down the dark staircase they went and to a seemingly abandoned basement filled with cobwebs.

Botan got on the ground and began feeling the floor, apparently looking for something. "This is where they were supposed to put the breach in the barrier," she mused, tapping away. "Bingo!"

A trapdoor gave way. Botan swung it open with a creak.

Yusuke looked down into the hole swirling with green mist. "You are going to give us a rope ladder or something, right?" he said nervously.

"No, jumping down should land you safely on the outer bank of the city," Botan turned to Kuwabara. "You know you don't have to go through with this if you don't want to," she said kindly. "No-one will hold it against you,"

"Oh! Well, ok. Goodbye!" Yusuke cheerfully shoved his hands in his pockets and began to leave. Sakura made a furious grab for him, but Botan beat her to it. She stuck out her leg and Yusuke tripped with an impressive crash.

"Not you!" Botan bristled. "The Spirit Detective does not have a choice in this. Kuwabara does,"

Kuwabara didn't look impressed. "Don't worry about me, lady. I sort of feel like a Spirit Detective myself now. And as for detectives, there's no turning back!" And with a shout, Kuwabara jumped into the hole without the slightest hesitation.

Everyone gasped and ran to the hole. "He really jumped!" Botan sounded shocked.

"Maybe...he'll be ok alone?" Yusuke said in a final attempt to get out of this case.

"Heart of a lion, Yusuke," Sakura growled.

And under Botan's glare, Yusuke finally relented. "Ok, ok," He went to jump.

"Oh wait, not yet!" Botan cried. "Here!" she reached into her jacket and pulled out what looked like two purple compact mirrors, the kind a woman might carry in her handbag. "I'm supposed to give you this communication mirror!"

Yusuke snatched it from her hands. "Geez! You nearly forgot to give me this thing? Let me guess, without it I'd probably be killed!"

"No," Botan looked genuinely surprised. "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. Sakura, I figured one wasn't necessary for you because, you know…"

Sakura tapped her head. "I read you loud and clear, Botan. Thanks to Master Shinsuke and Genkai I shouldn't have any problem keeping in contact with you,"

Yusuke folded his arms "There is absolutely no way you're coming, Kura,"

"Oh yes there is," Sakura said sternly. "You need me,"

"I am not putting you in danger again!" Yusuke nearly shouted, but was interrupted by Sakura slamming him against the wall.

"I'm only going to say this once," she said quietly. "We're in this together. Twins are a package deal, and I can take care of myself. So I am coming, like it or not. Capisce?"

Yusuke narrowed his eyes and shoved Sakura off him. "I don't like this. What if something goes wrong and Botan needs you? What if Keiko...AH!" the boy yelled in horror.

"Finally remembered, have we?" Sakura sighed.

"What's the matter now, Yusuke?" Botan enquired wearily.

"Keiko!" he wailed. "I just dumped her off at the movie theatre!" He had a fleeting image of Keiko waiting alone outside the cinema ("Yusuke, you brat!"). He could only imagine her fury.

"Hey Botan, tell you what," he said quickly. "Why don't you go take care of things with her and I'll go down here!" he jumped into the hole.

"Now wait!" Botan called frantically. "Yusuke, I don't want to do that!"

Sakura took Botan's hand. "Will you be ok here?"

"I'll do my best," Botan muttered.

"What do I do if things escalate here and you need backup?" Sakura asked urgently.

"Koenma will be watching both of us," Botan said. "Call out to him, and I'm sure he'll be able to help,"

Sakura nodded and zipped up her jacket. She turned to the hole that would lead her to the Castle.

"Sakura!" Botan's voice was rising in pitch. "What do I tell Keiko? She doesn't even like me!"

Sakura rolled her eyes. "Relax, I took care of it when he ran off. She doesn't know the details, but she knows something's up. And she's safe. Keep an eye on her though, won't you? She's my best friend,"

"Of course. I'm sure Yusuke will be relieved to hear Keiko isn't mad,"

"Who says I'm going to tell him?" Sakura snorted. "Let him stew for a while. Might be the only way he learns,"

Botan giggled. "You really are something else, Sakura. Please be careful. Good luck!"

Sakura grinned. "I'll be fine. I'm a Urameshi!"

She took a deep breath and flung herself through the trapdoor.

A.N Intense, right? Sakura is off to join the boys at Maze Castle. But those of you who wanted to see her stick with Botan and Keiko, don't give up all hope just yet. The Saint Beasts arc is just beginning and there's plenty more surprises in store. Sakura's learned a lot from Genkai and Master Shinsuke.

I'm still continuing this poll for the rest of Book 1. Book 2 will follow the Dark Tournament, and I want to know what you want to see.

Should Sakura be

a) A fighting member of Team Urameshi (current votes: 1)

b) supporting from the sidelines (current votes 0)

c) Both (current votes 3)

Please review if you liked this chapter.

Next: Sakura, Yusuke and Kuwabara are joined by some unexpected allies...