Chapter 15: A Deadly Fight

When Hiei reached the others, Yasu was already fighting Himimaru. The two demons that had been alive earlier were now dead. The others were standing there watching. Yusuke and Kuwabara both looked like they had been knocked about several times, but Kuwabara still looked like he was going to join the fight any minute. Kurama was watching Yasu fight Himimaru anxiously. Hiei quickly went over to them.

"Is Rai okay?" Kuwabara asked as Hiei put her down.

"Yes. Just unconscious." Hiei answered. Just then, Rai's eyes began to open.

"Huh? Where am I? What's going on?" She looked at everyone and suddenly a look of worry came over her features, "Where's Yasu?"

"Yasu's fighting Himimaru." Kurama answered, "It doesn't look too good though. Yasu has taken several hits and somehow Himimaru is avoiding all of hers."

Rai stood up, shaking at first. "Don't give up Yasu! No matter what happens, don't give up!" She shouted encouraging Yasu.

Yasu didn't turn, but surprise at Rai's presence was written on her face. It was quickly overcome with determination. Suddenly, as Yasu went for an attack, Himimaru pulled out a sword no one had ever seen and blocked her attack.

They were at stalemate. Neither one gave up the area that they had gained. Finally, their swords met. Himimaru hovered over Yasu's short stature. He grinned maliciously at the small girl. "Too bad a pretty little thing like you has to die so soon." He laughed.

"Too bad you're never going to live to see it. My death is not going to be on your sword." She snarled back. She was bleeding in several spots and some of her clothes were torn.

Himimaru pulled back quickly, making Yasu stumble. He sliced at her head, going in for the kill. The stumble saved her life. Instead of slicing her head, it cut her hair tie. Without the hair tie to keep it up, her hair fell about her shoulders. It swayed past her waist with more length to go.

"Wow, she has long hair." Kuwabara's voice came from nowhere, but Yasu blocked it out. There was no time for distractions now.

Again, Yasu's and Himimaru's swords met. But this time they didn't part. Yasu's face was full of fierce determination, while Himimaru's was full of enjoyment.

"I'm surprised little fire bug. You gave more of a fight then your brother did. And more than your parents too. Too bad that I have to kill you." He laughed his disgusting laugh once again.

"How dare you!" She shouted through gritted teeth.

Himimaru laughed again. His hand slyly moved behind him and a glint of metallic light caught Kurama's eyes.

"Yasu, watch out!"

It was too late. Himimaru had pulled out a small, thin knife with a long blade and rammed it into Yasu's stomach. She dropped to her knees holding her stomach. Her eyes widened in pain. Her breathing was quick and labored. She fell to the ground unconscious. Himimaru walked away, his back facing her.

"Now it is your turn to die." He said, addressing the spirit detectives and Rai.

Kurama shot a look at Rai. She immediately understood and nodded. She reached for a hidden area in the recesses of her clothes and pulled out her weapons, the shuriken. Wordlessly she ran to the right side of Himimaru, away from Yasu.

"So you think you can take me on? Bring it!" She said. For the first time they had seen her, Rai's face was serious. Although, a small glint of mischievousness was to be seen in her eyes and a small smirk pulled at the corners of her mouth.

As Himimaru turned to face Rai, Kurama ran behind his back to Yasu. He quickly checked her vital signs. Good. She wouldn't die. He didn't expect her to. A human may have died from that, but Yasu was a demon. He picked her up gently, sliding an arm underneath her head and her knees. He quickly carried Yasu over to the rest of them.

"How's she doing?" Yusuke asked in a somewhat hushed voice.

"It seems like the bleeding is slowing down already." Kurama responded. He looked at Rai, who was now battling Himimaru. He pulled out a long, thin whip, covered in thorns.

Rai was too quick for Himimaru to touch. She dodged around him, throwing shuriken and retrieving them before one could blink. It was obvious that Himimaru was getting frustrated. Every time he aimed a blow, Rai disappeared and reappeared right behind him. She really only made cuts, and no extremely damaging wounds. She seemed to be holding back.

Kurama attacked Himimaru from behind. The whip wrapped itself around the massive arm, cutting deep gashes with the razor sharp thorns. Himimaru turned angrily. He grabbed the whip, making more cuts in his hand, and yanked the whip, pulling Kurama with it. The boy was swung into the concrete wall. A small crater formed in the area where Kurama slammed into the wall. Kurama fell to the ground. He coughed up blood as he sat up.

"Stupid fool. I know all about you spirit detectives. I know where you live, everything about your daily lives. I'll destroy you and your pathetic human family. Just like I destroyed that little fire bug and her family." Himimaru said laughing.

His laugh was interrupted when Yasu stirred and groaned. Her face had a look that was immersed in pain.

"So the little fire bug isn't dead yet. That will soon change. All I need to do is finish off you pests and killing off that weakened bug will be a simple task." He laughed that ugly laugh once again and turned away.

That was the last straw. Himimaru crossed the line with those simple threats. Threats to his family and Yasu could not be tolerated. He had injured Yasu, somewhat close to death, and injured him. This could not go further. Kurama's body suddenly began to glow and change form. Now it was his turn to fight.