File 12: The Last Shiseiju: Suzaku!

In the Makai, the five who had gone to save the world were worried about the situation in the city. Well, only four were. And among these four two were especially worried about Keiko-chan. Hiei was only "worried" about whether or not he would get to fight this last enemy like he wanted to.

Suddenly, the communicating device in Akari's pocket rang. It was Botan of course. She was at their school with Keiko, and they were surounded. The people controlled by the insects were clearly looking for Keiko, they were after her. Something flashed in Akari's eyes and mind and she stopped in her tracks. She bit her thumb to the blood, biting back her anger and frustration. She could not afford to lose her cool now.

Che! So that's how it is again. Stop fucking with me!

"Botan, protect her with everything you have. You know what'll happen if you fail. I'll do what I can to speed things here. I'm counting on you. Take care. And look behind you!" Akari issued her orders and closed the device. When Yusuke had tried to snatch it after having heard that Keiko was in danger, the girl had grabbed his lower face in an iron-like grip and held him away at arm-length. Despite all his struggles he had been unable to do so much as loosen her grip, unable to raise his voice. Then the rei master turned her golden eyes and he immediately ceased moving. Their intensity had pierced him like a blade shining in the sun, cold and calculating, ready to strike and cut through anything. He knew their anger was not directed at him, yet he was still paralysed. Play time was over.

"Yusuke, we accepted the risks. Leave Keiko and the Human World to Botan. You can't turn back. You must concentrate on your opponent, Suzaku, the last of the Four Saint Beats, and defeat him along with his flute. That's the only thing you can do to save them. Is that clear?" Katsuyama asked with authority, releasing her grip on the boy.

"But-" He tried to protest as soon as he was free. Usually he would have agreed to anything but when Keiko was in danger... He was sent flying. Akari had slapped him with the back of her left hand.

"Don't play in his hand. Calm down. Concentrate. Keep focused. Or you will die." The pink-haired girl stared down at him. Her tone and expression were still hard, but there was something else. She was trying to tell him something, like she was silently begging him to understand. He was dumbfounded but the slap had done what it was meant to do. He had calmed down (a little). "And leave everything else to us." She smiled at him. He was not alone. "Same for you! Don't slack off just because I'm here."Akari then smirked at the others.

"Who would?!"

"Well, now that everthing is clear, let's go!" The girl said taking off again.

In the Human World, Botan and Keiko had been able to escape Iwamoto (who was angrier still that someone dared wear casual clothes at school) thanks to Akari's warning, but he had managed to destroy the communicating device. And once again, the two damsels were on the run.

Koenma was also perfectly aware of the consequences if something was to happen to Keiko while Yusuke was on duty and if the flute was not destroyed in time. And thinking about it made him extremely nervous. He franctically searched amid the forest of paper piles on his desk for the remote control. He wanted to watch Yusuke's progress. George told his master he was prone on losing things and it would be faster to just press the button under the screen. And when the little prince found the remote control at last, the oni had already switched the channel. But the Prince of Reikai was not the only one; the leader of the Shiseiju had also been watching the approach of his enemies. He cursed the woman. Without her they would have lost their presence of mind and it would have been a lot more interesting. She was much more resilient and coolheaded than he had first anticipated. Breaking her was going be so much fun. It had been so long since he had last felt this sort of thrill. And it was the first time while looking at a human girl. Let alone that Urameshi who seemed to be easily swayed, even she must lose it once she will see the dire situation of that other female. But for that, they must be delayed until that Keiko is captured. Murg suggested that the plant people should be sent. Suzaku agreed. And, pleased, both laughed, imagining the look on the intruders' faces once they'll discover what they had in store for them.

Soon, the said intruders reached the top most platform. This time it was a VERY large one. And on the other side, a good hundred meters from their point of entry, was the highest tower with most likely the topmost floor inside it. And on either side of this tower were two entrances to stairwells. And when the detective and his assistants were about half way, disgusting, slimy, green humanoid creatures with algae for hair came out of them by dozens and blocked the passage to the tower. Those were Plant People. They had the basic shape of humans; slow in movement, they had absolutely no thinking abilities or will of their own and merely obeyed their master.

"It'll be extremely troublesome trying to break through them." Kurama noted with a worried edge in his tone.

"Because they have no sense of fear or pain, they're like living puppets." Hiei explained, sounding rather annoyed.

"Tsk, so they intend to slow us down while they finish their little set up." Akari smirked, her eyes closed. She had already seen through that guy's schemes. If that annoying chick up there had targeted Keiko it meant that they had done some research and intended to use her to get to them. And the fact that they were trying to slow them down meant that they hadn't captured her yet. That was wicked, despicable and cowardly but at least he had done some thinking in the means he had to use. She expected nothing less from the leader of the Shiseiju but had still hoped it would not come down to that as it did. Kuwabara was an almost perfectly balanced mix of fear for himself and for those they had left in the Human World, and of anger. Yusuke was so outraged he wanted to blow everything with his shotgun.

"Yusuke!" Katsuyama yelled warningly. Again, her tone had been so imperious that he had frozen in his movements. "I told you, don't play in his hand." She finished softly.

"Akari's right." The fox put a comforting hand on the boy's shoulder, "Being hasty and wasting reiki is not to our advantage. And that's probably exactly what Suzaku wants."

But it was true that they needed speed. The pink-haired one had a plan. A plan making use of her power over the wind and of the windows in that tower. But she had not forgotten her mission. She was there to observe and assist only when there was no other choice. They were capable, there were two brains among the guys, even though one didn't look very motivated (then again he rarely looked motivated). What more, she was also to watch Kurama and Hiei, it would be better, for their own sake as well, if they were the ones to help the Reikai Tantei. And thus, she kept quiet despite the direness of the situation.

"Well, what are you saying we should do? Do you have any better idea?!"

"I do." The little fire demon answered, unexpectedly. Kazuma was doubting him, as expected. The idea was to go through the window above the Youshoku Ningens (Plant People). Up to that, it was the same as Akari's unvoiced idea. That was the only way anyway.

"Don't talk crazy! How are we going to jump that height? We're not grasshoppers!" Yusuke cried. Kuwabara said the shorty was spouting nonsense again. But Hiei had a plan. A plan different from hers, though they would do as the little demon had said.

"I'm counting on you, Kuwabara!" Yusuke said.

"Here it goes!" Kuwabara yelled back.

First Akari began running, followed by Kazuma. The pink-haired one started slaying the Plant People at amazing speed. Her friend clamped himself firmly at a little distance from the tower, slightly crouched down, legs apart, his hands on his knees. Kurama followed, then Hiei and at last Yusuke. The fox jumped and landed on Kuwabara's shoulders, the fire demon did the same on Kurama. The detective jumped on his teammates' backs like on a ladder before jumping again and reaching the window. And even before Yusuke reached this window, Hiei and Kurama had graciously leapt away and landed... and Kuwabara, thrown off balance because of the sudden loss of weight simply fell face first on the stone floor.

"Thanks you guys! I'll give you all a treat if I come back in one piece!" The reikai tantei yelled back from the windowsill. The fox smiled and waved a little. Kazu grinned, telling him he better not die. Hiei and Akari merely smirked. The girl would make sure he wouldn't die. She was already planning a sortie to raid a luxurious restaurant. As a man, he had to honor his word. Yup.

Yusuke made a thumb up, completely oblivious to what his friend could be scheming. As fast as he could he ran up the stairs and arrived in a huge circular chamber. The first thing he noticed was the enormous elliptical mirror on the other side of the room, and the scene he saw made him stop dead in his tracks, a look of horror on his face.

"Keiko! Botan!" He cried out, watching the women running through the school grounds and trying to escape their pursuers, nearly getting caught. Then, lowering his eyes, the boy saw a figure sitting on a chair, facing him, and playing on a monstruous transverse flute. The person stood up and approached, revealing himself. The demon had the appearance of a good-looking young man, blonde hair, with two long red-dyed bangs falling over cold amethyst eyes, dressed as celestial beings in traditional paintings were, a golden circlet with a green gem on on his forehead. He stopped playing.

"A beautiful melody isn't it? I thought I would make it your girlfriend's requiem, but you surprise me by arriving so early. I am the leader of the Four Saint Beasts, Suzaku." The demon introduced himself, and so did Murg. "This is a rare opportunity, so sit back and watch carefully how your girlfriend is going to die." He added pointing at the mirror behind him with his thumb as the green bird laughed wickedly. The detective ordered him to return the whistle. If he did he would only be half-beaten to death. "And if I refuse?"

"I'll kill you." He answered fiercely glaring at Suzaku.

At Sarayashiki, Keiko and Botan had at last found a zombie-less spot and were catching their breath. The brown-haired girl didn't lose time assailing Botan with questions concerning Yusuke and Akari, where they were, what were they doing, what about the weird crazy people... The spirit guide eluded them all by saying it was a long story, they didn't have time and right now they should concentrate on getting away. She'd explain everything later. They entered a building and tried to phone and call for help but it wouldn't get through. They decided to try the staff room. They only found Takenaka-sensei and he was out cold. There were traces of blows on his face. So, he had been the only one not to have been infested by the bugs. However it seemed that their actions had been anticipated as Iwamoto was now behind them. They ran for it again.

In the Makai, Suzaku was taunting Urameshi. Indeed, his girlfriend had become the heroine of a horror story. The setting was more-than-realistic and she had a good expression on her face. She was so shocked and scared; she was so lost that tears were forming in her eyes. Truly a life-staking performance. Yusuke clenched his fists tighter, and veins appeared on them. He was shaking with anger.

"I won't spare you." He warned before lunging at the fourth saint beast. Suzaku was surprised by his speed but was nonetheless able to deflect every blow with his left arm. However, Yusuke's relentless attacks were forcing him backward and he had to jump –thus dodging another punch- to try and gain back the momentum. The demon was now in the air. The detective called him stupid. Dodging was impossible in the air. He fired a reigun. His opponent should have been hit directly but he deflected the shot with his fist, and the ball of reiki went to blow a very big hole in the ceiling. Suzaku landed among the rubble, impressed. This reigun was quite powerful.

"It did not hit directly but I was still a little injured nonetheless. I, Suzaku, have not had a numb hand in ages." The lone leader waved his forearm as to stop the itching and cool the back of his fist.

Unbelievable! The new and improved reigun thanks to Akari's and granny's help, so easily... Yusuke thought, not as confident as before.

Murg volunteered to hold the flute but her master declined. He had already figured his opponent out. One hand would be enough. Urameshi was ticked off. Suzaku looked at the raging sky above him.

"A nicely timed hole." He commented, raising his hand toward the dark heavens. Lightning fell on him; all the energy gathering in a ball in his hand. The last shiseiju lunged at the detective who jumped to evade the attack. The Beast jumped after him and aimed a punch at his face. Yusuke was able to dodge the worst, but he was still caught in the lightning bolts trailing after the swing. He screamed and fell down while his enemy landed safely. His whole body had felt like poisonous electricity had been coursing through it. Suzaku was again surprised and impressed as Yusuke was the first human to ever survive his Ankoku Raijin Ken. He was obviously protected by a strong layer of reiki. The Reikai Tantei struggled to stand up while thinking he had to block the lightning attacks somehow or another if he wanted to survive. The demon was brimming with confidence, saying that even if Yusuke did stand up -which would be a feat in itself-, still he was definitely done for. So he might as well relax and watch his girlfriend die. But the boy was not of the same opinion.

"You shouldn't look down on her! She's extremely stubborn and won't die as easily as you think!" The detective had managed to stand and was taking off his shoes. "And, neither will I!" He replied defiantly wearing his shoes like gloves. At first Suzaku was a little angry at the puny human's arrogance but then he and Murg mocked him: what sort of stunt was this? How could he hope to stand against Suzaku-sama's powers with those flimsy shoes? The beast simply thought the despair had caused his foe to lose his senses and that he ought to be compassionate and finish him off before he made a fool of himself anymore than this. Once more the demon summoned lighting and attacked.

While in Sarayashiki Middle School, Botan and Keiko were completely surrounded by the people controlled by the Makai bugs and cornered against a wall. And Keiko, knowing she herself was the target, urged Botan to leave her and run on her own. However the reaper's pride would not allow it. Both would rather die together while bringing down as many zombies as possible. But then they noticed a fire extinguisher and both had the same idea at the same time. The brown haired one ran to the left, attracting their pursuers and the blue haired one dashed to the right, got the extinguisher and sent the carbon dioxide foam on the infested people, thus saving Keiko. Then, just as the girls were trying to escape, Iwamoto suddenly appeared and grabbed Botan by the neck. But the honor student gave him one of those most memorable slaps she usually only gave to Yusuke ( ...as he was the only one who usually needed to be slapped anyway) The schoolgirl had not realized her own strength, although she had been more stunned by the fact that she had actually hit a teacher than by anything else. Iwamoto being knocked down by that single slap, Botan was freed and they both ran away.

In the highest chamber of the maze castle, Yusuke's shoes had been torn to pieces by Suzaku's attack; but the boy had concentrated his ki on his hands, thus blocking the attack, and had surprised his opponent with a rei-filled punch on the left cheek. The trick of the shoes had played its part. Change of script. Now time to counterattack for both Yusuke and Keiko! Urameshi yelled and lunged again at his opponent, a whole level faster than before. Suzaku blocked again with his right arm while keeping the whistle out of reach; but a well-aimed blow made him lose his grip and the instrument was sent flying. The detective immediately made for the flute but even before it touched the ground, the demon punched him down and took back the flute. In a flash Yusuke made him lose his balance with a kick and charged again, one hand on the flute and his other arm around his opponent. However, his attempt at retrieving the whistle failed again as Suzaku applied two fingers on the boy's arm, sending another lightning shock through his body and making him let go of the object. The Saint Beast jumped backward and landed near the screen.

"Your tenacity at retrieving the worm whistle is incredible." He commended. "Does that female mean that much to you?"

The Reikai tantei insulted him and charged again but stopped mid-way when he saw what the screen was showing. The mad junkie-looking people hunting after Keiko and Botan were now armed with sharp pointed objects. The crazy killer teacher was leading them with a pair of scissors.

"From the look on your face, it seems that we have reached the climax of the show in the human world." The last Beast glanced back at the screen with a smirk. "You may have miraculously avoided the previous attack but what about the second time?" He wondered. However, this time he would use another method to hold his enemy down. Once again, Murg volunteered to hold the whistle and once more her master refused. But not because he was underestimating Yusuke like before. No, this time he knew the detective wouldn't hesitate to abandon their duel to go after the defenceless bird and destroy the flute. This was something the former leader was not ready to risk. Although he didn't look like it, that Urameshi was more level-headed than he seemed. Was it because of this Akari? That girl was always standing in his way. He would let the boy know the depth of despair by letting see the gap of power between a leader among the demons and a mere human, a child!

Keiko screamed. The scissors had torn her sleeve and grazed her arm before the wall behind her. Botan grabbed her other arm and they ran and hid in an empty classroom before Iwamoto or the others hurt her further. But now they were cornered and really had nowhere to run. The infested people tried to bring the door down. While Keiko quietly called for Yusuke to come and save them, Botan was doing her best to think of a way out of their dire situation.

In the makai, six copies of Suzaku had appeared, six whole and independent beings like him. Ankoku Yourou Jin. Yusuke who already had enough trouble with one now had to deal with seven. His situation was also very dire. What the hell were the others doing? Well, they had no choice but to fight the dozens of youshoku ningen that were blocking them and always surrounding them. Akari was VERY tempted to use a mass destruction technique but didn't want to risk involving the three others. She was concerned about her other friend fighting meters above her too. Yusuke's reiki was about as strong as Suzaku's youki, they had about the same amount too. The issue was the way they would spend it. The girl was worried about that because she knew of her friend's reckless way of fighting. But the boy was also very tough and very resourceful. Should his luck abandon him... He was not the type to die easily even if you killed him. He was not the type to die easily but Akari was still carefully monitoring his fight. For someone like her their ki were like fires in the night. Hiei didn't need any special attention but Katsuyama was also keeping a good watch on Kurama and Kazuma who had been severly injured, although she had healed them. But if it continued like this she would soon have to do something about these plant people. This mission was a good trial for Yusuke but if he died SHE would have to become the next Reikai Tantei and she was too lazy to accept it. Of course she cared about him, but still.

The six created Suzakus jumped, made a bow out of electricity and fired lightning bolts. The Beast had launched his best attack: the Rikukoku Ankoku Raiko Ha. Once more, the detective concentrated his ki in his fists and deflected five lightning arrows but was unable to escape one that hit him in the shoulder. And once more the pain was so intense that for a moment he was paralyzed and nearly lost conciousness. The original Beast was planning to feed the three other guys to the hungry ghouls but he still had not exactly decided what he would do about the woman. Yusuke stood up again, his limbs shaking from the effort, demanding that he hands over the worm whistle. The demon, annoyed his foe's persistency, walked to him and punched him down. He couldn't comprehend why that Keiko's life was so precious to him. And he and Murg were more and more looking forward to her death.

Suzaku was sitting cross-legged on his throne with the flute while two 'copies' of himself firmly held the detective down on his knees. He was willing to forgive him, purify his soul and turn him into a youkai if Yusuke swore to devour Yukimura Keiko's heart and submit to him. However, the latter only swore to kill him. The thing was that Suzaku was not exactly the type to appreciate that kind of stunt. Like all control freaks, he dearly made him pay. His eyes as cold as ice, those holding Yusuke down sent again electricity through his body. He was going to leisurely torture the boy while waiting another few minutes for that female to be slaughtered in the ningenkai.

"They're finally going to be done for. No place to run, standing before a valley of hopelessness. That door will only be able to hold for another minute. Then they shall be brutally murdered. And you shall enjoy this act from the very beginning to the very end." Suzaku looked down at his enemy in cruel and cold enjoyment. "Urameshi Yusuke, you are one fortunate fool. To lead and be audience to such violent act. You should thank me."

Indeed, the door was yielding under the zombies' heavy blows. Keiko, hiding behind Botan, whispered Yusuke's name with that lost expression of hers. Truly the heroine of a tragedy. While Yusuke in his emotional and physical agony, was beginning to despair. Was he going to die like this? Were Keiko and Botan going to die too?