Chapter 4 Captured



"This is dangerous," Kuwabara yelled as they ran through the hall of falling blocks. They finally reached the end where they stopped in the tracks. A huge white tiger with yellow eyes and teeth that were too big for his mouth stood on top of a small tower. "Don't think that just because you defeated Genbu that you can defeat me. He was weak. He could talk to demons outside the castle wall; that is why we didn't kill him ourselves. But I am a real beast, and I have been locked up in this castle for too long without prey, without bones, without blood, until now. Foolish humans, I'll rip you apart and eat you myself," Byoko yelled. "Gee, how nice," Yuusuke said. "Hiei, Kurama, I'll feed your bodies to the Foogaki. And you, Mayline," Byoko said pointing to her. Hiei absently tightened his grip on her. "I'll let Machete finish you off," Byoko yelled.

"This one's mine," Hiei said. "Back off. Didn't I say I'd take the next one?" Kuwabara snapped. He started forward and stopped in fear as Byoko roared. The ground under them began to shake and come apart. The guys stepped back so they wouldn't fall. The ground under Mayline gave. Reflexively, Hiei grabbed her and pulled her up. He suddenly stopped. Why am I doing this? Why did I just now help her? "Thanks," Mayline said. Hiei just snorted and looked away. All that was left of the ground was a thin ledge, the area they stood upon, and a place to fight near Byoko. "Do you really think you can handle this?" Hiei asked. "Course I can. In fact, I'm not scared at all," Kuwabara said, although his legs were shaking like crazy. "Oh, so I guess your legs are shaking in eagerness," Yuusuke joked. "Shut up, Urameshi. I'm just scared of heights," Kuwabara yelled. "This is no time to act tough," Yuusuke said as he watched Kuwabara make his way across the ledge. "Shut up!" Kuwabara yelled.

"Fools, don't think you can defeat me with one human," Byoko yelled. "Come on, Byoko monster. Let's fight!" Kuwabara yelled. Byoko looked at him for a moment before laughing his head off: "Oh, please. You make me laugh." "I'm serious," Kuwabara yelled. "I could defeat you with only the hairs on my mane," Byoko said. "Oh, yeah?" Kuwabara said. Byoko took four strands of his green hair and blew them out at Kuwabara. They then turned into four beasts ready to kill him. I guess he wasn't joking about the hairs. "These beasts are a small part of me, and, like me, they're hungry. They don't like to share either, so you might be in between a little bit of a tug of war," Byoko said.

Kuwabara watched as one of the beats attacked him. "Kuwabara!" Yuusuke yelled. Kuwabara slowly got back up. "Ok, that's it. Spirit Sword!" Kuwabara gathered his spirit energy and created the spirit sword. "So, you can make your spirit energy into a weapon. Very impressive, but it wont help you in your survival. Beasts, attack," Byoko commanded. The beasts ran up to Kuwabara and attacked in turn. Kuwabara ran up to one of the beasts and stuck at it, but the beast moved. "Look at him. He has no strategy. He's just swinging is sword with the grace of a flyswatter. That's no way to survive," Hiei said. "Kuwabara, let me take over. I know you want to fight, but there's just too many of them. My shotgun blast just makes more sense," Yuusuke said. "No way, Urameshi! I'm not backing down," Kuwabara said. "If you're going to take the time to switch, you might as well fight me all at once," Byoko said.

"Kuwabara, please!" Yuusuke said. "No way! I'm not stopping unless Byoko comes down here and kills me himself," Kuwabara yelled. "Don't say that," Yuusuke said. "If that's your choice of death, then fine. Beasts, you may now tear off his arms and legs and divide them amongst yourselves, but leave the body so that I may finish him off myself," Byoko commanded. "Sorry beasts, but you can't have them. Genkia just fixed these arms, and I'm not about to loose them now," Kuwabara said as he ran from the beasts. The others watched as the beasts attacked in turn again. Yuusuke couldn't take it anymore and ran up to the ledge: "Kuwabara, please. Let me take over. I know you want to fight, but you wont win by swinging your sword around. Think about it!" "He's right," Kuwabara said as he looked at the ledge. That gave him an idea. "He's right."

Kuwabara turned and ran as fast as his feet would carry him and ran to the ledge. "After all that, you finally have the sense to retreat. Beasts, chase him back to his friends and eat them all," Byoko laughed. "There, you see. In the end, the fool runs away," Hiei said. "He won't make it," Kurama added. "Don't worry. I'm jump in as soon as he cries for help," Yuusuke said. "You know you can't escape," Byoko laughed. Kuwabara then stopped in his tracks and turned around: "Who said anything about escaping?" All four beasts were lined up in a row. "Eat this, monster. Sword, get longer," Kuwabara yelled as he stabbed the four beasts. The sword reached from one end of the beast, to the other end, and right through the next one until all for beasts were connected.

"It's true. I couldn't win by swinging my sword around, but I knew I could if I stabbed them once I got all these suckers lined up," Kuwabara said. "Nice one, Kuwabara," Yuusuke yelled. "Yes, you actually did something clever for once," Hiei said. "Watch it, Hiei. No use getting jealous on me just cuz I'm good," Kuwabara said. "Yeah, but what are you going to do with them now?" Yuusuke asked. "I don't know. Have a beast schiscabob I guess," Kuwabara joked. "You don't seem to get it, do you? These beasts are a part of me. They just need more energy," Byoko yelled as he gave them more energy. "Uh-oh," Kuwabara ran as the beasts, which were still connected by the spirit sword, ran after him. He reached the tower behind the guys and went around it. Mayline, who had gotten out of Hiei's grip when the ground had given, and Kylie got up against the wall. "Do you think he knows it's a circle?" Hiei asked. The end of Kuwabara's sword attached itself to the wall and stayed there as Kuwabara ran up to it and connected it: "You're just twisted steal." "I don't believe this," Byoko said.

"That's a little move I like to call spirit sword monster beast donut," Kuwabara said. Hiei sighed: "Idiot." "I think monster beast donut is a perfect name for it," Kurama said. Yuusuke laughed: "Excuse me sir. I don't like this one. You got chocolate with sprinkles?" "My own prey mocks me," Byoko said. "Oops! Sorry about that guys. I didn't see you there," Kuwabara said to Mayline and Kylie, who were between the beasts and the wall. Kuwabara then noticed something black and a few red things in hair bands. "Hey, you bastard." Kuwabara looked up slowly and saw that the sword had cut off some of Mayline's hair and a few of Kylie's ends, letting loose some of the braided hair. "I'm gonna." Mayline trailed off as she saw Byoko's attack coming right at them. Kylie grabbed her, and they got down and covered their heads. The guys blocked out the light as the blast hit and destroyed the tower. "Mayline! Kylie!" Yuusuke yelled when the blast subsided. All that was left was a pile of rubble where the tower stood.

"No. No! Mayline! Kylie!" Yuusuke yelled even louder. "Stop shouting." Yuusuke looked down to see Mayline kick a rock off of her and Kylie. "Ah man! That hurt," Kylie said as she got up. "Damn you two. Don't do that!" Miko yelled. "Don't do what?" Mayline asked. "That thing where you don't show up until we think you're dead," Miko yelled. "Ah, but Miko. It's so entertaining to see you pissed when we do that," Mayline said.

Kuwabara then turned to Byoko: "Tear up the castle however you want. It still wont help the fact that your monsters are beaten and you're next." "Foolish mortal. I'll kill you," Byoko said. "Yeah, yeah, you said that already. Now let's fight," Kuwabara said a little impatiently. "Fine," Byoko said as he jumped down. Wow! Byoko looks a lot bigger up close. "How long you think it'll take before he starts calling for his mommy?" Yuusuke asked. "About five minutes," Kylie said. "Six tops," Mayline added. "Hey, you don't look so cold anymore," Yuusuke said. "Yeah, I know. Hiei warmed me up pretty well. I'll get cold again eventually and I still can't feel my fingers. I'm guessing you're a fire demon as well," Mayline said. Hiei just snorted and looked away again. Mayline looked at him for a moment and then at Kylie, who shrugged. Mayline shrugged as well, and they turned their attention back to the fight.

I don't think I have a chance. No! I can't give in. Not now. " I can smell your fear. Apparently your body knows something your mind doesn't," Byoko said. "Oh yeah. What's that?" Kuwabara asked. "That if the sword is your most powerful weapon, then there is no way you can defeat me. You might as well fight me with your little fingernails," Byoko laughed. "Well sorry if I don't believe you," Kuwabara yelled as he swung at Byoko. "How's that?" Kuwabara asked with a grin. Byoko turned around and threw a punch at Kuwabara, who dodged it and struck at him again. "Ok, maybe Byoko will be the one calling home," Yuusuke said. Kuwabara stood facing Byoko, ready to fight. "Something's wrong," Kurama said. "Yes," Hiei agreed. "What's he mean?" Yuusuke asked. "Look closely at the two fighters," Hiei said. Yuusuke took a look at them. Byoko stood firm while Kuwabara was breathing really hard. "Judging by the attacks, Kuwabara has the upper hand, but it looks as thou Kuwabara's the one taking all the blows," Hiei stated.

What's going on. I'm so tired, and he's not even breathing hard. And I'm the one doing all the attacks. WAIT A MINUET! Kuwabara looked at Byoko. Some of the others had noticed it as well. "Could it be?" Hiei asked. "Byoko's size. It's increasing," Kurama replied. Indeed, Byoko was getting bigger by the minuet. "Now I see. Look down at Kuwabara's sword," Kurama said. Kuwabara's sword had shrunk. "It's getting smaller," Yuusuke said. "Exactly, proportional to Byoko's increase. He's stealing energy from Kuwabara," Kurama stated. "So you finally caught me. I've been feeding off of every slash of your sword," Byoko laughed. Kuwabara powered up his sword but fell to his knee when he felt even more tired. He then slowly got up and powered up again. "You keep using more energy just him bigger. Don't be stupid Kuwabara," Yuusuke yelled. "Leave me alone Urameshi! Nothing's going to make me stop now!" Kuwabara yelled as he charged at Byoko.

"I'll never give up! No matter how big you get," Kuwabara yelled. "Don't you get it? Your spirit energy is feeding me like a fresh slap of meat. So unless you want to keep making me bigger, I suggest you throw down your sword," Byoko said with a grin. "Never!" Kuwabara snapped. "So I guess you want to keep feeding me, huh?" Byoko asked. "That's right!" Kuwabara yelled as he rammed his sword into Byoko's mouth. "All right," Yuusuke said. "This.may be a problem," Kurama said. They watched as Kuwabara's spirit energy began to transfer into Byoko's mouth. "Just drop the sword Kuwabara," Yuusuke said. Kuwabara began to feel tired and had let go of the sword. "You had more spirit energy on your bones than I thought. You make me almost full," Byoko said as he rubbed his now overly sized stomach.

He then watched as Kuwabara slowly got up and pulled out his spirit sword again. "I'm not done yet," Kuwabara said. "Oh man. Looks like Kuwabara's spirit sword has had a downsize," Yuusuke said. "I dare you to come closer," Kuwabara said. "You can barely stand up. You're nothing but a wounded animal," Byoko said as he kicked Kuwabara. "Blasting you will be a good exercise after my tasty meal," Byoko said as he advanced on Kuwabara. "I don't think I can crack a joke right now. Kuwabara's going to get killed right now," Yuusuke stated. "No, there is a way," Kurama said. "I guess you caught that too," Mayline said. "Caught what?" Yuusuke asked. "Byoko's body stopped expanding halfway through that last attack," Kurama answered. "So, he has a weakness," Yuusuke said. "Don't get the boy's hopes up, Kurama," Hiei said. "I'm just saying that there is a chance," Kurama replied. "Yes, Kurama, if you were the one fighting, but that fool wont be able to see it," Hiei said. Byoko grabbed Kuwabara by the throat and held him up: "You said you wanted to die." He then punched him. "You told your puny friends that you wouldn't stop unless I killed you myself," Byoko said as he walked up to him. Oh man! This is it! Wait a second. I can feel something weird with his energy. Like it's straining just to stay inside of him. Like there's not enough space for it all.

"In the end, I'm giving you exactly what you wanted. Remember that when I claw you into shreds," Byoko said as he came closer. "No, it seems I have something else on my mind," Kuwabara said as he began to create his spirit sword once again. "Don't worry. I'll finish you off fast," Byoko yelled as he began to attack. Kuwabara raised his spirit sword just in time to block it. He then jumped back and made his sword even bigger. Kuwabara then charged at Byoko and stabbed him in the stomach. "Wait Kuwabara! Don't be stupid! Kurama said there's a way!" Yuusuke yelled. Byoko's body began to absorb the energy until Kuwabara let go of the sword and fell to the ground: "You fill me up so good I don't think I have enough room left to eat your body. Oh well. I'll just crush you into pulp for later."

Byoko was about to stomp on him until he began to fall back. Yuusuke prepared to fire his spirit gun when Kurama stopped him: "No, it's not necessary." Yuusuke watched as Byoko stepped back. He looked as though he was going to be sick. "What's wrong?" Byoko asked. Kuwabara looked up at him: "Looks like it worked." "What worked?" Byoko asked. "It's like my sister said. It's not good for you to eat too much in one sitting," Kuwabara said with a grin. "Sister huh? Well that explains a lot," Yuusuke said. They all watched as Byoko's body began to expand a little more. All of the energy was finally released and Byoko fell over the side. "Down he goes," Yuusuke said. "His body couldn't handle all that energy," Kurama said. "Sounds like a bad case of gas if you ask me," Yuusuke laughed.

"Quiet, Urameshi. I'm trying to concentrate," Kuwabara yelled. He was down on the ground and taking deep breaths. "I have to breath in his fumes. They're filled with my spirit energy. "Actually, your spirit energy has already returned to your body," Kurama said. "You are an idiot, aren't you?" Mayline said. "Shut up you little." Kuwabara began. "Excuse me. Little? Oh no! No! No! No! You're lucky that my hands are numb right now or would get a beating far worse than Byoko's," Mayline said as she took out her book and pen. Hiei caught a glimpse of something that was hidden in her long coat, but he ignored it.

"Well, shall we go?" Kurama asked. They all were shocked when they heard Byoko roar. "Don't tell me," Yuusuke said. "He's alive," Kurama stated. The ground under them began to crack and come apart. "Hurry! It's collapsing!" Kurama yelled. They all ran up to the other tower and watched as the ground that they once stood on collapsed. "You're a lot stronger than I thought, human. And for that, I give you a special invetation to my lair, the room of hell," Byoko said. "And what if we say no?" Kurama asked. Byoko laughed: "I don't think you want to know." Just as those words had reached their ears, two vine-like cords shot out and wrapped themselves around Mayline and Kylie. Mayline tried to untangle herself, but her hands were just too numb. They were then pulled into Byoko's lair. "Kylie! Mayline!" Miko yelled.

Hiei then noticed that something had fallen off of Mayline. He picked it up and looked at it. It was a sword, a katana to be exact. It had a gem on the hilt and a dragon on the sheath. Hiei tightened his grip on the sword and glared at the darkness of the tunnel. "Just lead the way Byoko. I'll go where ever you want," Kuwabara said with a grin.



What kind of gem is on Mayline's sword? What's going to happen to Kylie and Mayline? These questions and maybe a few more will be answered in the next chapter of Meet the Virgin Thieves.





Ok, here's something new. I told you about the riddle that was left with them. Light is conceled while darkness roams. Fight fire with fire eye to eye. Here's a challenge for you. If you can solve the riddle before Yuusuke and the others do, I will write you a fic with any combination you want. Good luck!