Chapter Two: "I'm Sorry, Suzaku"

As Himeko ran down the steps, she thought back on the past several hours. When the intruders had first been noticed, the Saint Beasts and herself had never dreamed they would get past Maze Castle's defenses—but get by they did. Genbu had volunteered his services in getting rid of them. That one choice had cost him his life. Then Byakko went. Himeko had watched his battle with satisfaction; she did not expect the intruders to survive. Now Byakko was worse than dead—betrayed by a fellow Saint Beast. Seiryu…well, she didn't want to think about him. Now it was her turn.

"That must be where the fourth Saint Beast is," she heard a faint voice say. Looking out the window, Himeko saw that the intruders had gotten nearly to the base of the tower. She hesitated, then leapt out the window—she didn't have time to waste running.

"Once we get inside the tower, we're home free, right?" she heard another ask.

"Not so fast."

They halted, looking around to find the source of her voice. "You'll have to get by me first." As Himeko left the shadows, she scanned the group. There was the tall boy in blue, the one with the sword who had defeated Byakko. Next was the boy in green, with short black hair. He was the only one who hadn't fought yet, she realized. Behind them was a shorter male, dressed in black with a white headband, and next to him was a taller one with long red hair and emerald eyes. Something stirred in the back of her mind. Where had she seen those two before……? No matter, she thought. They will not live to reach my master.

Reaching into the folds of her robe for her shuriken, she stopped as memory returned. It can't be! K……Kurama? And Hiei! She stepped back, as though dealt a physical blow. After a moment's hesitation, she withdrew her hands and bowed. "I—I yield."

"Wait a minute! I thought you said we had to get past you!" It was the boy in green who spoke, the one who hadn't fought.

"I changed my mind." I'm sorry, Suzaku. But……I can't fight Kurama and Hiei. I just can't. "You'll need my help to defeat the last Saint Beast. Meet me inside the tower," said Himeko as she turned to go back.

"Hold on! Just who are you?" This time it was the one with the sword who spoke.

Himeko turned around. "I am…" She trailed off as she heard a noise behind her. Suzaku had taken her advice and sent the Youshoku Ningen, the "veggie-humans". He must be watching, she thought grimly. This is gonna cost me. "That's a complicated question, and not one I have time to answer." With that she ran back inside the tower to wait.

IIIIIII
(Back Outside)

"I don't trust her," said Kuwabara. "What if it's a trap?"

"Even so, I sense something familiar about her. I think it would be best if we do as she says," Kurama answered. As Kuwabara started to argue, Yusuke and Hiei noticed that they were not alone. "Guys, I really don't think we have time for this."

"What the hell are those!" Kuwabara yelped.

"Youshoko Ningen. They are semi-human. Demons grow them, without free will or even a mind of their own, to be slaves. It appears we must get past them to enter the tower," explained Kurama.

"Hn." Hiei unsheathed his sword.

After battling for some time, they realized they weren't getting any closer to the tower. They formed somewhat of a human/demon "springboard", so Yusuke could reach the window and get inside while Kuwabara, Hiei, and Kurama fought on the ground. Himeko, who had been leaning against the wall, jumped up when she saw Yusuke come through the window. As the two of them sprinted up the stairs, Himeko asked Yusuke a question. "So, exactly who are you, that you could get so far into Maze Castle and still be alive?"

"The name's Yusuke. Spirit Detective of Earth," he said. "Who are you?"

"Himeko," she answered wryly. "A Tigress that's about to do something very, very stupid."

"Huh?" Yusuke looked at her strangely, but didn't have time for anymore talk. They had reached the top.