File 08: Curtain opens: Welcome to Maze City!
"He isn't back yet?" Keiko asked for the X times in these last six months. Atsuko, Yusuke's mother, answered that her son was training in the montains but since he'd phone her from time to time, that meant he was still alive. Keiko was worried, what if Yusuke wouldn't come back? And she had not seen Akari for some time. She was happy since the pink-haired girl would sometimes give her news about Yusuke, even though she would also disappear from time to time and she wouldn't tell her where.
"Don't worry! Yusuke already died once and he came back right? He'll always come back. As for Akari she's even tougher than him. Let's just wait for them." Atsuko said in a reassuring tone. Keiko thanked her and left. Of course she was still upset that neither Yusuke nor Akari (sometimes) would tell her anything and was wondering what they were up to. But just as she was thinking about her beloved idiot, she looked up and saw him standing there, his bag on his back, his hair down and dishevelled, all bruised and scratched, in ragged clothes, and grinning.
"Yo! Long time no see." He said. Needless to say how happy she was to see him again as she ran to him.
Some time later, Yusuke, back in his green suit and his hair slicked back again was talking to Kuwabara on a bench while Keiko was ordering milk-shakes. Kazuma wanted to test his new strength on Urameshi. After all, Akari had trained him too.
"Don't give me that, YOU think you can beat ME after the months of training I had? I don't think she gave you the same menu she and her granny used on me." Urameshi replied, confident as ever.
"By the way, how was it? Your training."
"It was hell." Yusuke remembered with goosebumps, he had had to stand for twelve hours upside down over a pointed stake, supported only by his reiki-active index finger, he had to learn (the hard way of course) how to defend himself against powerful waves of reiki, there were also fire-sitting, sleeping on needles and things like that. Kuwabara had enough. He could feel the pain just by listening.
"And mind that I underwent that training for three years, then for one year, I visited other masters in the country, plus three years in the makai…." Akari butted in from behind them, scaring the guys. When they asked where she had been she answered that she had been napping somewhere.
"But thanks to that training, both Yusuke and I acquired great techniques. Such as what what you saw when I fought my grand-ma." The girl added smiling and punching the air before her. Kuwabara was really looking forward to seeing them.
"See what?" Keiko asked when she came back with the milkshakes.
"A movie! We wanted to see a movie, right you two?" Katsuyama lied right away. Of course the guys agreed with her. The pink haired one looked at Yusuke in a 'you-owe-me-one' way, smirking. He glared and growled slightly but she did save their lives.
"Ah, Akari-san, I could have bought you a milkshake!"
"It's ok, Keiko-chan." Then they all went to see the movie they were supposed to see. On the way Kuwabara and Akari teased Yusuke about the ladies man he was, making Keiko fall for him like that. Back then she looked so down and now she was all smiling and giggling and running around. And then Yusuke finally noticed: they were all being followed. Akari looked at him meaningfully. He apologised to Keiko and told her to buy the tickets, they'll be back soon, they had to go and buy something else, a 'man thing' so she couldn't come.
"Let them be, Keiko-chan, it is 'man thing', it shouldn't be much trouble even for them, I mean, at least they look like men, but if they're late or use that as an excuse to run off somewhere I'll get them myself and kill them. Is that ok and clearly understood?" The female reiki using truant asked with a scary smile. Everyone agreed, it was clear as water, two even gulped. Then Yusuke ran away, dragging a puzzled Kuwabara by the arm. He didn't understand what it was all about. He thought it was about buying porno magazines. But no, they were going to give a good beating to the five gray-skinned guys that were following them. Which was even better.
They entered a dead-end. Kuwabara was showing off, how surprising of him, but his attitude changed when the weirdos showed their knives and kept muttering "kill... kill... kill... kill... kill..." They attacked but of course they were no match for Sarayashiki's ultimate punks. Then, Yusuke finally decided to test on these guys one of his newly acquired skills that would end it all. After all, if they were late, Akari would kill them, right? His fist began to shine and all his energy was released into bullets hitting the boys. They fell unconscious. Normal people getting hit by a shotgun just don't go doing a marathon just after, even if it was a weak shotgun. Kazuma was already impressed though it was just basics of the reikohadou. Akari could do way better.
Then Kuwabara felt a strange ki around there, not one of a human. He spotted a figure wearing an overcoat and a hat. It had been spying on them. The boys chased after him but they didn't get very far as the spy was knocked out by a baseball bat. Or by Botan who was holding it. They were surprised to see her, but Kuwa was quite happy to see again 'the pretty girl from last time'.
The spy was a demon, as it turned out, from the group Yusuke must now fight as instructed. That was his new mission. As expected, the detective was not extremely happy about it, to say the least.
"New mission? You must be joking right? I barely came back and he already wants to send me on another of his suicide mission? No way! That's abuse! I'm not Koenma's slave!" He protested walking away, his hands in his pockets. But he stopped and turned back once he heard that the fate of the human world was at stake. The ferrygirl told them about the letter Koenma had received from the Shiseiju (Four Saint Beasts), about their demand to immigrate into Ningenkai. Of course they couldn't just ignore this demand. These beasts were dangerous, and cruel, sheltering many criminals of all kinds and worlds, creating a whole and lawless city. Botan told them to take a closer look at the students who attacked them. Kuwabara and Yusuke watched, disgusted, (Kuwabara nearly puked) as weird insects would climb out of the guys' mouths. These were Makai Worms, infesting already wicked souls and distorting them even more. The host would become suddenly destructive, rebellious and murderous. And the Shiseiju seem to have unleashed thousands of them in the ningenkai. Yusuke wanted to warn the population but it would be no use, normal people couldn't see them, just the kind of violent behaviour of the hosts. Of course, the only way to destroy the worms was to destroy the Flute controlling them.
"Worm whistle? Shouldn't it be dog whistle?" But Yusuke was ignored. The Four Beasts couldn't quite yet invade the ningenkai because of the kekkai surrounding their castle, but they demanded that the kekkai was dismissed in exchange of the Flute. Though everyone knew it was too good to be true, they could finish the city off in one day. So that did leave only one way out: destroy the worm whistle. "And you're asking me to go to that terrible criminal city all by myself?" The detective exclaimed pointing at himself. "And what about Akari?"
"You, lazy guts... just because you would be training did you think that the missions would stop? I had to do them all in your stead, while you were desperately struggling to reach an acceptable level of strength and power. It's not my job to do that kind of things... Can't you do it at least once in awhile? Or maybe you think you can't make it? Are you scared, all by yourself? Right, you stay at home and cower in your bed... Weeaaaaaaakling." Akari, who had just appeared behind them again, scolded him. "I guess it can't be helped..." She sighed deeply, scratching her head though smirking widely deep inside. Another word and he would lunge at her to strangle her. Well, although she had been alone at first Kurama had started to help her out, sometimes with just him, sometimes with Hiei too and sometimes just her and Hiei. It was to see if they could behave, and certainly, on a longest term, test whether they could be used or not.
"Hey? Don't you think there's one more person?" Three heads turned to the owner of the voice. Botan sweatdropped and quickly backed away waving her hands with a tense and embarassed smile. Everyone had completely forgotten he was there and the ferrygirl didn't think he could hear everything that she had said. It seems like people who aren't concerned shouldn't know the details of the missions. Indeed, important information could leak but well, that was Kuwabara. Of course he could hear.
And she had trained him. Besides she kinda wanted to go, could be fun, and a good way to see how Yusuke had really improved over these past months. Then Kuwabara crushed in his hand an insect that just tried to fly away from one of the guys' mouth. Since he saw these worms there was no way he could just sit and watch. They had to hurry and destroy the whistle or the city would be invaded by these monsters. He said, acting oh so manly. Yusuke, Botan and Akari had the same reaction, he was overdoing it a bit too much, but that was natural.
"Then that's settled, I'm coming!" The pink haired one declared cheerfully.
"Like hell! You complain you do all the work and then you go and say you still want to come?" The detective retorted.
"Well, I can do whatever I want. I'm just going because I'm bored, who said I would steal your job? It's a good chance to see the effects of your training in a real life and death situation. Besides, who knows what could happen if I'm not there to monitor you? And also I could brag to Keiko about how strong and how much of a man you are, how protective you are of her, so she can live in a peaceful world. That you had noticed that guys wanted to do funny stuff to her and you couldn't bear it so you took care of them, since the real mission should be a –secret." She trailed off teasingly.
And of course, a few minutes later they were all in an abandoned underground storage. It just couldn't be helped right? Yusuke was powerless before her. It was just that she was the best, no need to feel ashamed. Botan was kneeling down and knocking on the floor, looking for the portal to the city. Then she finally found it. She warned Kuwabara that he didn't have to go since he was not the Reikai Tantei but Yusuke took it for himself and began to leave. Though he didn't go very far until Botan tripped him up. He wasn't even cool enough to stop himself from crashing on the dirty ground. Akari sighed. All this training for nothing? That he couldn't even dodge something like that… And that bastard had still hoped to leave everything to Kuwabara and her… She held her fist up and kicked his back before he had time to stand up, didn't even hear his swearing. Kazuma, on the contrary, said that in his heart, he was a spirit detective, and he wasn't scared, so he jumped in the hole. Botan and Akari looked at Yusuke warningly and meaningfully. But before he jumped Botan proudly gave him her new communication device. He snached it away, but then noticed it looked much like a compact for make up. Of course he didn't want to have this girl thing so the rei 'master' took it. Not before replying that one who is really proud should be able to let go of this pride just as easily. Besides there wasn't much time to complain so she just kicked him down again and he fell into the hole. She was about to jump too but the ferry girl held her back, she had a special mission for her:
"Hiei and Kurama will most likely be sent to help you out, making it possible for them to be pardoned. But even so, we don't really know what will happen. They have behaved when they were with you but all the missions you had with them took place on Earth where it was easier to monitor things. This one will be in the Makai. They may take advantage of that and betray you, especially Hiei. Your mission is to watch them and see if they're trustworthy or not. And in case they would betray the Reikai Tantei, you have authority to arrest them, or, if they're too dangerous, kill them." She said gravely. The golden eyed girl frowned slightly, watching her, and agreed to it.
"Ok, I'll do it, but you know, I think there will probably be no use for that kind of precaution. Ah, and please take good care of Keiko-chan, she must be waiting and muttering angrily in front of the cinema. Bye bye!" She finished, smiling and jumping too, letting the ferry girl shouting their names and that she didn't want to do it.
City of Beyond: Akari landed ever so gracefully on her feet while Yusuke and Kuwabara landed on their butt or head. She looked around: stormy black and red clouds, lightning bolts now and then, the plateau they were on, the 'city' below and the stone castle ahead. They had barely time to get up and take a few steps that the hungry monsters ghouls appeared, drawn to them by the delicious scent of their human flesh. The young lass sighed boredly. Many came at her in the same time. She just let out a wave of ki, burning them all to ashes in a three metres radius, forming a sphere of burning ki around her. She turned to the guys, saying she shouldn't be needed against this kind of annoying little weaklings and they should be able to take care of them on their own. With these words, she went to a tree and jumped on a high branch, making herself comfortable. In fact, Akari was waiting. The detective(s) punched and kicked as much as they could but were still outnumbered. Then she saw them. Two familiar blurs, one black, one red. They were suddenly on the branch right behind her, a trail of dead ghouls behind them.
"It must be tough with just you two fighting, need a hand?" Kurama inquired.
"If you can't get rid of these weaklings, your power is insubstantial." Hiei commented. The ghouls fled as soon as they recognised them as high class bandits. Of course they were hungry but no use in dying for a piece of human meat right? The two demons jumped down, Yusuke was quite happy to see them, though he wasn't expecting them. He introduced them to Kuwabara and asked what they were doing here.
"This is our job before returning to civilization. If we help you, it is possible for us to be pardoned. Right, Akari?" Kurama answered looking up at her. She kept a stone face. He knew from the look she had while watching them, he knew she must have been given some kind of special mission regarding them and he had an idea of what it was. He turned to Yusuke again. "It's all thanks to her who spoke in our favour and took responsibility for us."
"Yep, that's right." The girl said jumping down in the middle of them. "So don't make my choice be a mistake." She smiled.
"Of course, this life is thanks to you, so for you I'm willing to risk it over and over again." He smiled charmingly back at her. Hiei clicked his tongue. Somehow, this mood was getting on his nerves.
"I don't know about Kurama, but what I'm interested in are the powers and the treasures of the Shiseiju and only that. I could care less about what happen to you."He clarified. Of course Kuwabara didn't quite like that attitude.
"What's wrong with that little spiky? Quite cocky for a shorty!"
"What, you wanna die? Moron." Kuwabara tried to punch him but Hiei easily dodged, blurring out of the way to be just in front of Urameshi, Kazuma fell, unable to stop himself in time.
"Yusuke, for now, I'll bide my time. But be prepared, soon I'll have my revenge." He said, this time blurring to step in front of Akari, ignoring the human's second attempt to punch him and letting him, yet again, fall.
"Woman. You..." He began but stopped, confused, when she put both her index on his cheeks.
"Hai, hai, love you too, my cute little friend." She said smiling so sweetly at him and releasing him. "But it seems you really didn't change, still so short, and so grumpy." This time, Kuwabara tried to strangle him, again not to avail. Akari stepped sideways so he wouldn't crash into her but on a rock behind her while Hiei had blurred back to where he was first standing.
"Stop it, Hiei. You'll fight all you want once the mission is completed." Kurama said trying to calm Hiei down. Kurama. He seemed closer her, or was it just her imagination? Oh well. Kuwabara wanted to reject their help but Yusuke just said it was better this way, the more, the merrier, right? They started heading toward the castle but then Akari stopped Kurama. The others kept walking.
"Kurama, you're forbidden to say such things as earlier again. I'm not saying there won't be such times when it's necessary, but you're a demon, so don't go risking your life unnecessarily for someone else. I really hate sacrifices. I don't need or want others to be responsible for my life." Her voice was low, angry, threatening.
"Yes." The man looked down.
"Humph. Liar. You're the type to do anything to achieve your goal." She lightly bumped his chest with her fist and walked away under the fox's sad gaze. She might have said that but...
Nobody tried to attack, not the high class bandits, not the human elemental maiden who was said to have battled with the strongest demons. It seemed she had made herself a lil reputation during these three years in the makai. Being famous did have good sides, even though the guys would tease her about it. That was until she decided to shut them up with one good glare of hers. Kazuma and Hiei would bicker again, Kurama and Yusuke would try to shut them up, and she would walk behind them, her arms behind her head, yawning and ignoring them.
Up in the castle, the beasts were discussing about the newcomers and didn't sound very worried to say the least...
"Enemies? Who dares attack the Shiseiju?" A voice asked.
"It seems the Reikai has rejected our request and want to do it the hard way." Another answered.
"It's been so long since we had guests." Genbu said.
"But they don't deserve our special attention, not even the girl." Byakko objected.
"What do you think Suzaku-sama? What if she IS the human Elemental Maiden everyone in the Makai has been talking about?" Seiryu asked.
"Byakko is correct, they won't pass the Door of Betrayal. Too bad, it would have been interesting to test that girl and see if she was the real Elemental Maiden..."
The guys hesitated at the entrance of a tunnel, designed like the open mouth of a skull. Lovely, really. They were wondering about where it would lead them. Personally, the human girl could care less, or rather, she was too bored to care. Everyone entered, as the saying goes : no pain, no gain. They walked for some time. Near the end of the tunnel, a demon appeared. It was an eye with tentacles and bat wings.
"Whoa! What's that thing? It's really ugly!" Kuwabara asked.
"You're talking about yourself?" That was Hiei again.
"Why you!"
"Eww it IS really ugly." She said a little disgusted. "A bit like someone I know, though." She added thoughtfully.
"Someone like the fool thing here?" That dear little Hiei.
"I'll kill you shorty!"
"Maybe so..." Akari answered. That was not really true but that was not the point here.
"Aka-chaaaaaaaan!" Kuwabara cried while Akari giggled. Hiei humphed with a smirk and Kurama and Yusuke sighed with a sweatdrop. Anyway, the eye welcomed them but also warned them that if they wanted to go any further, they first had a trial to pass. They frowned, tensing, as the demon flew to the wall ahead of them and pushed down a lever with a tentacle. There was a loud rumble, the room was shaking, and suddenly the ceiling fell down on the five. They all had to hold it up with their hands so they wouldn't be crushed.
"Tell me, is it heavy?" The demon taunted. "This hall is very clever and sensitive, though with a bad personality. It detects the limits of your strenghs and applies the corresponding amount of pressure. If one slacks, all are smashed. If one betrays and escapes, the others will die. Stay true to your friends, and everyone will die of exhaustion. Only a traitor can enter the castle. Make your choice."
Kuwabara, too angry, yelled at the demon and lost his concentration.
"Who?! Who's the bastard who slacked off and want us all killed?!" Hiei yelled.
"Strange you said that, since you're the one who wants to kill us all!" Kuwabara replied.
"Stop it Kuwabara!" The detective said.
"Humph, if you don't trust me, I should betray you."
"Cut it out Hiei! At that time..." Kurama warned. While the guys were argueing an idea had popped into her mind, but she would rather remain an observer and have someone else say it. Fortunately, Yusuke had also noticed it.
"Akari! You're the fastest! You put the lever back into place!"
"No. Hiei should do it, he's fast enough and I'll help sustain that thing. Got that Hiei? We're counting on you!" The female reiki user asserted. Kazuma protested, saying she was crazy, he had tried to kill her and Yusuke before. And she could do it herself.
"For once, that disfigured guy is right." Hiei smirked.
"Disfigured?! Who're you talking about huh!?" Kazu bellowed again. But Hiei ignored him, looking only at her.
"How do you know I won't run off?"
"Your pride is at stake, you want your revenge on Yusuke and me in a fair fight, don't you? Besides, I do trust you, no special reason for that. Now go!" She ordered. The tantei agreed with her. He also trusted him. The fire demon was not the only one surprised by this vow of trust. He nodded, and Kurama smiled seeing his friend run toward the lever at full speed. The ceiling came down another few centimetres. Right, she had to make up for Hiei. With Yusuke released his reiki at its maximum, and with Akari's help, even managed to lift the ceiling up a little. But Hiei was hesitating. He looked back at her.
"What's wrong? Hurry up and pull the lever! Pull it up!" Kuwabara shouted. The eye demon told Hiei to forget those guys, to let him bring him to Lord Suzaku. A bandit like him would be heartily welcomed. Kuwabara was insulting him again. Akari and Urameshi still trusted him after he had tried to kill them and now he would dare betray them? But Hiei was only half listening to him. His eyes were focused on the human girl. This mixture of hope and trust in her eyes, yes, she was still trusting him with all her heart, the effort while trying to push the ceiling up, he also saw the expression she had when he tried to kill her back then, so different and so much the same, they alternated, they overlapped, and something snapped within him. He looked down, stepped back from the lever, and chuckled.
"How naïve..." He said.
"Traitor!" Kuwabara roared again.
"Good, that's the right choice." The eye demon coaxed. "This way..."
"Don't you look down on me!" Hiei suddenly shouted, slashing the eye vertically before pulling the lever, stopping the ceiling. But that caused a huge boulder to fall on him not a second after. There was so much smoke. They ran out of the hallway crying out his name.
"Hiei!"
