Disclaimer: I do not own Yu Yu Hakusho or Inuyasha or any of their characters. I do, however, own any OCs created and the story written.

Chapter 7: Byakko, the White Tiger

Previously:

"How could you help me? As a human, you wouldn't have lived 500 years ago."

"It's a long story. How about we finish our task at hand and after…" she sighed, "we'll talk and I'll tell you everything." She nodded and turning away from him, walked over to her cousin, "Let's go. We've got three more Beasts to deal with." Her heart, that had spent months healing, felt like it was breaking all over again.

Kurama stared at her retreating form in worry, "Why do I know her?" He rubbed his chest, "And why does it feel like my heart is about to burst out of my chest?"

Hiei smirked, "Apparently, 500 year old you knew her quite well. Interesting."

"To say the least."

1-2-3-4-5

The group made it to the top of the stairs of a tower and stopped to rest.

"Kurama, how terrible is that wound?" Yusuke asked seriously.

"Fine, as long as I can walk," Kurama replied carefully. "Kagome did quite well, considering the restrictions on physiology."

"He'll survive, but he's in no shape to fight," Hiei said. "That means we only have three, maybe four fighters left and one of them is useless,"

"Hey!" Kuwabara yelled, "Leave Kagome alone, ya shrimp. Just because she's a healer doesn't mean you can talk down about her."

Yusuke rolled his eyes. "Maybe I'm going out on a limb here, but I think he meant you."

"Is that so?" Kuwabara put his hands on his hips. "Then maybe I should show you something!"

"Just so we're clear," Hiei smirked, "I was talking about you. I've seen what a good Miko shield could do. The damage it could cause. And her mental shields are nothing compared to my Jagan, so I know that she's been getting some physical training from the detective here. I'm sure she's more than capable of holding her own."

"So can I, you punk! You just wait and see!" He turned to Yusuke.

"What in the world do you think I was doing for the last six months while you were off training with Genkai? Letting you get better than me? Nuh-uh!" He held his hand out and concentrated. A familiar bright yellow-orange Spirit Energy gathered in his palm, "Spirit SWORD!" His Energy spiked as it shot out of his hand, creating his new weapon.

"Hey, watch where you're pointing that thing!" Kagome jumped back from Kuwabara's weapon. "Glad you learned a new trick. Now learn some control."

"You see what I've learned, Urameshi?" Kuwabara bragged, ignoring the Miko, "I don't got to use the tip of that wooden sword to make it work anymore," He giggled. "It's just my pure Energy, and I'll bet it can kick the crap out of your Spirit Gun!"

"That depends on what finger I use," Yusuke growled and showed Kuwabara exactly which finger he meant.

Kagome rolled her eyes, "Boys."

Hiei looked pleased. "Well, as it turns out he's only partially worthless,"

"Ok, wanna die?!" Kuwabara pointed the blade at Hiei's smug face.

The demon smirked. "I dare you,"

The cousins immediately jumped between them. "Kuwabara, what did I just tell you?" Kagome glared.

Kuwabara backed off, albeit reluctantly. "Yeah yeah, let him live. I'm pretty sure he'll be saying sorry after he sees what else I can do!"

He tilted the sword to the ceiling. "Sword, get long!"

At his words, the Spirit Sword expanded vertically, smashing right through the stone above.

"Wow, it even comes with a spear attachment," Yusuke muttered.

Kuwabara laughed with glee. "I can make it any size I want it to be. Isn't that neat, Kagome?"

Kagome slapped him away. "Don't touch me with those hands," She glared, "And get rid of that sword until you need it. Showing off like that is going to deplete your Energy and we need all hands on deck to defeat the next Beast."

The Spirit Sword collapsed back into nothingness. Kuwabara was still beaming. "I know when Genbu showed up I got a little, what's the word, freaked, but that's not going to happen from now on, my friends. Because Kuwabara's got the good stuff!"

Kuwabara's grand speech was interrupted as he stumbled slightly and fell.

Kagome immediately bent down to see if he was ok, but Kuwabara waved her off. "Don't worry guys. Sometimes the sword makes me a little dizzy."

"You're not making us look good!" Yusuke hissed.

"And this is why we don't show off when we're not training or in an actual fight." Kagome frowned as she pulled him up, "It weakens you."

Shaking his head, Yusuke opened the beeping compact, "What's the matter, Botan?"

Botan sprayed at a Makai insect hiding under a car, then again at a trio that had taken refuge on a wall.

"Listen, Yusuke. I think the Saint Beasts have launched another wave of insects. I've found a whole batch by an elementary school!"

"They're taking over kids now?" Yusuke sounded as disgusted as Kagome felt, who had taken out her own compact and typed a few buttons on it. "I thought you said these insects only liked to take over the minds of depressed people."

"Well that's because depressed people are more easily influenced. The same is also true for children, but if the bugs get into them, I'm afraid…"

A shadow fell across Botan, and she looked up to see an infected human towering over her. She cried out and fell backwards. The look in the human's eyes indicated only one goal. Murder.

"Botan?" Yusuke yelled. "Botan?!"

"Sorry Yusuke. But I'm being chased by another infected human!"

Botan ran into an alleyway, flung open the door of some abandoned building and slammed the door behind her.

"I've knocked out all the other victims by sneaking up on them," she explained, breathing heavily.

A hand punched right through the door. Botan screamed. The infected human forced his way in and caught hold of Botan's hair. Just as she twisted around and sprayed the eyes with her insect spray, forcing him to let her go, a mysterious object flew out and knocking the infected over the head.

"Huh?"

"Wow, you got him!" Yusuke was astonished.

"That… wasn't me." She stared as a young teen stepped in with a bat over his shoulder, "Um, who are you?"

"You must be Botan." He nodded, "Got a message from my sister that said you could use some help. I was coming to the Elementary School to drop off some gym equipment, and I saw the creep chase you. Kags said something about demon bugs."

"Hey, Souta." Kagome said, joining Yusuke in the screen, "Thanks for the assist."

"No problem, sis. I've been sensing weird stuff all day. Been making me twitchy. Boy am I glad you messaged me. Gives me a chance to practice my swing and my Awareness."

Botan dusted herself off. "Well I'm not making a career out of this, so I'm grateful for the help. Running from these things takes a lot of Energy." She looked at the compact, "You go and destroy that whistle before we have to fight this entire city!"

Kagome nodded. "Souta, keep your compact on you, okay?"

"You got it, sis."

Yusuke closed the mirror and looked at his cousin, "How did you contact Souta?"

"When Botan gave me the Compact this morning, I made her give me a second one. I saw what happened to your little watch at Genkai's. I figured I needed a spare. But, when she left, I decided to give it Souta. That way, if there was ever a problem, he could make sure our families are safe. Your mom included." She looked at Kuwabara, "Give me your address and family info and I'll make sure you're put on Souta's call list. Okay?"

"Wow, Kagome, thanks."

Yusuke scratched his head, "His swing and Awareness?"

"Souta plays baseball. Best batting average on the team. And he decided he wanted to train his fledgling little Spirit Energy and be a Shinto Priest. Part time. His senses aren't as strong as mine, but he can still feel the demons. So, outside of our own personal interests and future education, we're going to co-run the shrine together."

"Nice."

"Thanks."

Just then, the ground and the entire castle began shaking. A deafening roar echoes through the halls as pieces of the ceiling started crumbling around them.

"I don't know what kind of monster makes that sound, but I got a hunch it's our next enemy," Kuwabara said.

The Beast roared again.

"That is Byakko!" Kurama gasped, bracing himself against the wall, "And he doesn't sound very pleased!"

Yusuke took hold of Kagome's wrist. "Let's go!"

The five of them ran through the collapsing hallway, up a flight of stairs and outside to the rooftop.

At the other end of the roof stood a hideous white tiger monster, covered with blue-grey fur striped with black. His fangs dripped with saliva as his tail left dents in the ground. He was larger than Genbu and looked more dangerous.

"Byakko?" Kagome shook her head, "How old are the Saint Beasts? I could have sworn the Youkai Byakko was destroyed."

"Different Byakko." Kurama nodded, impressed by her knowledge, "The Saint Beasts are older and much more feral."

"He's more feral than the other one?" She shook her head, "Good grief."

"Intruders will pay for coming this far into my territory!" Byakko snarled before letting out another roar.

"I-it's, huge!" Kuwabara stuttered, staring in shock.

"Pity they don't have him in a zoo," Yusuke muttered, stepping closer to his cousin. Kagome wedged herself between him and Kurama, just as a precaution.

Hiei smirked as he looked at the Beast in interest, "I'll go."

"Back off! Didn't I say I'd take the next one?" Kuwabara snapped. He started walking towards Byakko, but stopped when the monster growled again.

"Do not think you're dominant because you tore apart Genbu! He was WEAK!" Byakko spat contemptuously. "He could talk to the demons in the city by prowling through the castle wall. That is why we didn't kill him ourselves. But I'm a real Beast. I have been caged in this place for too long. Without prey. Without bones. Without blood! Until now!" His face hardened. "Humans! I will rip you apart and eat you myself!"

"Gee! How nice." Yusuke rolled his eyes sarcastically.

His gaze flitted between the two demons. "Hiei. Kurama. I'll feed your bodies to the Fugaki!" The Beast roared again, causing the ground below them to crumble.

"Look out!" Kagome dragged Yusuke and Kurama away from the edge. When the shaking stopped, all that remained was a thinner bridge to where Byakko waited, and now railings around the remaining balcony.

"Apparently, this guy likes breaking things with the sound of his own voice," Yusuke grumbled, stepping in front of Kagome. Looking at Kurama, the two nodded in accord. The Avatar just agreed to help protect the Miko.

"It's a long trip to the ground." The Beast said, breaking the silence, "I'll send you all there with my roar unless you come and fight me. Of course, your weak bodies will be broken either way."

Kuwabara was growing angrier. "Monster!" he hissed. "He thinks he's so tough!"

Yusuke gripped his friend's shoulder. "Kuwabara…!"

"Step off!" Kuwabara shoved him off.

"Damn it." Yusuke frowned

"Kuwabara, is that really necessary?" Kagome asked, "This is a Makai level Demon. I've never encountered his likes before, and that's saying something."

"Relax, will you?" The teen scoffed, "I can handle this."

"You really think you can beat him?" Hiei asked, looking skeptical.

Kuwabara glared at him. "Well of course, half-pint! In fact, I'm not scared at all!"

Yusuke snorted. "So I guess your legs are shaking out of eagerness?"

"LEAVE ME ALONE URAMESHI! I'M JUST SCARED OF HEIGHTS!"

"This isn't the time to pretend you're tough."

"I SAID LEAVE ME ALONE!"

Byakko stared at his approaching opponent. "You don't believe you can overpower me with just one human, do you?!"

Kuwabara had reached the base of the tower and struck a pose that would have been very funny if not for the seriousness of the situation. "Let's fight, Byakko-monster!"

Byakko threw back his head and roared with laughter. "Oh please, I can't stay angry if you make me laugh."

"I'm serious. Come down here so I can knock your lights out!" Kuwabara yelled rashly.

"Stop it!" The Beast order, bracing a leg on the edge of his platform, "I could tear you into little pieces with nothing but the hairs on my mane!"

"Oh, really?"

The Beast plucked four strands of hair from his tattered mane and blew a gust of air on them. The hairs flew out with and with burst of Energy, transformed into four green mutated creatures the surrounded Kuwabara on all sides.

"They're like some sort of warped simulacrums of Byakko." Kagom sneered, "And a whole lot uglier."

"You're pretty smart for a human girl." Byakko chuckled, "The beast are a small part of myself. Like me, they are hungry. And this boy is the perfect new meat. They don't like sharing, either. So you might be in the middle of a little tug-a-war."

"A demon who knows what tug-a-war is." Kagome shrugged, "I'll bite."

One creature lunged at Kuwabara, raking his massive claws over the boy's chest.

"Kuwabara!" Kagome and Yusuke cried out together.

Kuwabara struggled to his feet. "That was a freebie!" he glared. "Spirit Sword!"

"Ah, so you can use your Spirit Energy as a weapon!" Byakko sniffed. "Very impressive. But I'm afraid it won't aid in your survival for very long!"

The scene devolved into a chaotic blur as the beasts charged Kuwabara at once. Kuwabara was slashing his sword in all directions, but they had him surrounded.

"He has no strategy," Hiei scoffed. "He's just swinging his sword with the grace of a fly swatter. That's no way to survive."

"He said he's been practicing." Kagome shook her head, "If you're going to practice manifesting a Spirit Sword, you should know how to use the dang thing." She frowned, "He's no Sesshomaru, that's for sure." She grumbled, missing the shocked looked from Kurama and Hiei.

Kuwabara collapsed to his knees. He had several tears in his jacket from the beasts and bruises on his face. Yusuke started to get upset, "Kuwabara! Let me take them instead! I know you want to fight this one, but there's way too many of those things to swing a sword at. My shotgun blast just makes more sense, ok?"

"Especially if the one wielding the sword doesn't know what he's doing." Kagome whispered so low, only the demons on either side of her heard.

"Come on, Kuwabara! Please?!"

All four beasts continued to leap around Kuwabara, snarling and snapping their jaws. He couldn't last much longer.

Byakko was watching the scene, laughing. "If you're going to take the time to switch, you might as well all fight me at once. After all, nothing gives me more pleasure than a big group kill!"

"Okay, Kuwabara, I don't care if you retreat or not!" Yusuke yelled, having seen enough, "I'm coming in to help!"

"Stay right there!" Kuwabara whirled around and glared at the rest of his team. "I'm I'm not asking for help and if you come up here, I swear I'll turn this sword on you!" he said darkly. I'm no wimp, Urameshi. And I'm not stopping unless Byakko comes and kills me himself."

"What is wrong with him?" Kagome shook her head in frustration, "This isn't about proving you're the toughest bully on the playground."

Byakko's eyes widened along with his smile. "If that's your choice of death, then fine. Beasts, you may now tear off his arms and legs and divide them among yourselves. But leave the body for me so I can finish him."

Kuwabara threw the beasts aside once more. "Sorry monsters, but you can't! Genkai just fixed these arms and I'm not breaking 'em again!"

Yusuke took a few steps onto the narrow bridge. "Hey! Don't die from being stubborn, you dolt! Let me take over! There's no way you can defeat all four of those beasts by swinging your sword around! Think about it!"

"He's right." Kuwabara paused, his eyes scanning the bridge. "He's right!" He turned and made a beeline for the path, with the four monsters in hot pursuit.

Byakko started laughing, "After all that, he's finally had enough sense to retreat, but it's too late now! Go on you beasts! Chase him back to his friend and the eat them all!"

"There, you see?" Hiei smiled, "In the end the fool runs away."

"He won't make it." Kurama frowned.

"Don't worry." Yusuke smirked, "I'll go as soon as he screams for help."

"He won't." Kagome chuckled, "I know what he's doing."

"You know you can't escape!" Byakko growled.

Kuwabara had nearly reached the rest of the group. He looked at Byakko with a small smile. "Who in the world said anything about escaping?" He smirked as he turned back to the four creature, who were now perfectly lined up on the bridge, "Sword, get longer!" He waited until they were close enough and jabbed it, "EAT THIS!"

The Spirit Sword expanded rapidly and rammed straight through the mouth of the first beast. In a chain reaction, it sliced through the three creatures behind, stopping them in their tracks. "Ha!" Kagome laughed, "That stopped them." She squinted, "It's really kinda disturbing, though. It's gonna take a while to get this image out of my head. Yuck."

"It's true I couldn't win by swinging my sword!" Kuwabara chuckled, "But I could win by stabbing it once I got all four of suckers lined up!"

"Nice work!" Yusuke cheered.

Hiei laughed. "Yes, he actually did something clever,"

"Watch it, Hiei," Kuwabara glowered as he looked over his shoulder, "No use getting jealous of me just 'cause I'm good!"

"But, what are you going to do now?" Yusuke asked, pointed to the creatures.

"I don't know." He shrugged, "Some sort of Monster-Beast sish-kabob now!"

Byakko chuckled, "Those beasts are still a part of me, and even though they're chained up doesn't mean they can't chase you down. They just need more Energy!"

Still connected, the four beasts raced forward and forced Kuwabara to run around the turret the group had exited from.

"Do you think he knows it's a circle?" Hiei questioned dryly, but Kagome grinned when she realized what Kuwabara was really doing.

"HA!" Once Kuwabara reached the end of the sword, he seized it and tied it together with the one in his hand, immediately stopping the beasts from being a threat.

Kagome started laughing as Hiei, Kurama and Yusuke stared, speechless.

"That's a little move I like to call the Spirit Sword Monster Beast Donut!" Kuwabara said proudly, posing.

"Idiot," Hiei sighed in resignation at the human..

"I think Monster Beast Donut is a perfect name," Kurama said.

Kagome wiped her eyes and smiled. "That was awesome, Kuwabara. Really well done."

"Thanks, Kags."

Yusuke laughed and turned to Byakko. "Excuse me sir, I don't like this one. You got chocolate with sprinkles?"

Byakko's face was beyond livid. "I don't believe this. My own prey mocks me? I will not tolerate this!"

"Hah! You'd best get ready to tolerate a lot more, you poor excuse for a cat!" Kuwabara shouted back.

Byakko began howling at ear-splitting levels. A blast of red lightning hit the turret they'd come through, causing it to vanish, along with the beasts that encircled it. There was no way to go now but through Byakko.

Kuwabara brushed some dust from his shoulder. "Tear up the castle however you want." He was already striding towards the tiger. "It doesn't change the fact that your little monsters are beat, and you're about to be next."

"No need to get cocky, Kuwabara!" Kagome yelled, "Those were low level demons. This is a Saint Beast. Bring your ego back down, you idiot!"

The Beast slammed his fist to the ground. "Listen to the girl, you stupid human! I am the White Tiger Byakko, one of the Four Saint Beasts and the greatest predator who ever lived!"

"Yeah, yeah. I think you said that already. And I'm Kuwabara, so let's go!"

Kagome just sighed, "What a moron."

Byakko sprang from his position and landed in front of Kuwabara, towering over the teen as he growled in anger.

"What are the odds that Kuwabara starts calling for his mommy?" Yusuke asked as they stared at the monster before them.

Kagome shrugged, "50/50."

"Good odds."

"Ha!" Byakko smiled down at Kuwabara, "I can smell your fear. Clearly your body knows something your brain does not."

"What's that?"

"If the sword's your most powerful weapon, then you cannot hurt me. To tell you the truth, you'd be better off attacking me with your little fingernails."

Kuwabara ran towards him, sword out. "Well, I'm sorry if I don't believe you!" He jumped up and sliced across Byakko's body, landing behind him, "How's that?"

The tiger growled and slammed his gigantic fist at Kuwabara who jumped out of the way onto the slightly raised platform Byakko had been standing on before. With a yell, Kuwabara jumped and brought his weapon crashing down onto the beast again.

"Okay, maybe the tiger will be calling home." Yusuke shrugged.

"No, he won't." Kagome stared at the scene, "This whole thing is off."

Kurama nodded his head. "You're right. Something's wrong."

"Yes," Hiei agreed as he, too stared.

"What does they mean?" Yusuke asked, looking down at Hiei.

"Try looking closely at the two fighters. Judging from the attacks, Kuwabara's obviously had the upper hand. But by the looks of them, it's as if Kuwabara is the one taking all of the blows."

Yusuke looked at the battle and gasped. Kuwabara's breathing had become shallow and laboured. He was hunched over slightly as if in pain.

Kagome stared at the Energy surrounding the Beast, "Is anyone else seeing what I'm seeing? Or are my Miko powers on the fritz?"

"Could it be?" Hiei looked, just as confused.

"Byakko's size." Kurama stated, "It's increasing."

Kagome nodded, "That's the problem. Definitely need more training."

It was true. Byakko was growing larger, tearing his clothes in the process.

"Now I see!" Kurama stood next to Kagome and Yusuke, "Look down at Kuwabara's Spirit Sword."

Yusuke stared in shock, "It's getting smaller."

"Exactly proportional to Byakko's increase."

"Is he absorbing Kuwabara's Spirit Energy?" Kagome asked.

Kurama, "Absorbing. Stealing. Same thing."

The Beast laughed in triumph. "You finally caught me! I've been feeding off every slash of your sword."

Kuwabara was getting weaker. There wasn't much fight left in him, but still he stood and forced his sword to grow again.

"Kuwabara, are you crazy?!" Yusuke yelled, "Hit him again and he'll only get bigger. Don't be stupid!"

Kagome shook her head, "He's lost his punked out mind."

Byakko smiled down at his prey, but Kuwabara was already prepping his next attack. "I'm never going to give up on this fight, no matter how big you get!"

"So, are you sure about this?" Yusuke asked, cutting his eyes to Kurama.

"Positive." The fox nodded, "Kuwabara is helping him."

"He's just being a stubborn idiot who won't listen." Kagome growled, "Like certain dog-eared idiots that I used to know."

"This doesn't make any sense." Kuwabara growled, staring at his sword in frustration.

Byakko laughed, "Why is it so hard to understand, human? Your weapons is made of pure Energy and it's feeding my Spirit's appetite, like a fresh slab of red meat."

Kagome grimaced, "That image just erased the Demon Skewer."

"Unless you want to continue to make me bigger and stronger," the Beast continued, "I suggest you throw down your sword."

"No way!" Kuwabara yelled, adding more Energy into his sword.

"So, this is your plan? To feed me?"

"That's right!" Kuwabara jumped up and propelled his blade straight into Byakko's mouth, feeding his Energy directly into the Beast.

"All right!" Yusuke cheered as Kagome just shook her head.

"Don't celebrate yet."

"She's right." Kurama agreed, "This may not end well."

She shrugged, "I guess we'll see."

Byakko started laughing, to Kuwabara's dismay. "Just let go." Yusuke muttered.

Finally Kuwabara's Spirit Energy died out, and he fell to the ground.

"Thanks," Byakko patted his bulging stomach. "You had more Spirit Energy on your bones than I thought. Eating all of it nearly got me full!"

Kuwabara forced himself to look up. "I'm… not done." Somehow, he managed to produce a small amount of Spirit Energy to produce a dagger.

"Oh man, this looks bad." Yusuke sighed, "Looks like his Spirit Sword's had a downsize."

"I dare you to come closer!"

Byakko snorted. "You can't even stand anymore. You're nothing but a wounded animal!" He kicked Kuwabara across the ground. "Thrashing you will be the perfect exercise after my giant meal." The Beast chuckled as he stomped toward the fallen teen, "As soon as there's room in my stomach, that's where you'll go!"

"I'm not sure if I can crack jokes about this." Yusuke said, upset, "Kuwabara's really gonna get killed now."

"No," Kurama said quietly. "There is a way."

"Well then say it!" Yusuke hissed.

"Byakko's body stopped expanding halfway through the attack," Kurama explained. "That indicates vulnerability."

Kagome nodded with a smirk, "Which indicates a weakness."

"Don't get their hopes up, Kurama," Hiei sighed.

Kurama didn't look away. "I am simply saying there is a chance,"

"Yes, Kurama. Maybe if you were the one fighting. But that fool will never be able to see it!"

"Let's not underestimate the bonehead." Kagome sighed, "There is a chance, so let's see if he figures it out."

Byakko lifted Kuwabara high off the ground. "You once said you wanted to die?"

A single punch sent Kuwabara flying to the ground, but again he managed to sit up. "Darn!" He said, groaning.

"You told your puny human friend that you'd never stop fighting unless I came down here and killed you myself." Byakko laughed as he advanced to the fallen teen.

"Am I feeling that right?" Kagome whispered to Kurama, "That energy is fighting to get out of Byakko, isn't it?"

"Exactly."

"In the end, you'll get exactly what you asked for." The Beast laughed, "Remember that when I claw you into shreds!"

"No, I turns out I've got something else on my mind." He called what Energy he had left and reformed the small dagger-like Spirit Sword.

"Don't be worried." Byakko growled, "I'm quick to the kill!" As the Beast lunged toward Kuwabara, the teen plunged his Spirit weapon straight into Byakko's stomach.

"Wait, Kuwabara!" Yusuke yelled, "Don't be stupid. Kurama says there's still a way to beat him."

"Leave him be, cuz." Kagome smirked, "He figured it out."

Byakko's stomach absorbed all of Kuwabara's sword, making the Beast chuckle as the teen fell back to the ground.

"Kuwabara." Yusuke muttered, scared for his friend.

Byakko groaned, "You filled me up so much with your energy, I don't think I have room left to eat your body."

"Again," Kagome shuddered, "Ew."

"Oh well, I'll just crush you into a pulp for later." He lifted his foot and was about to step on Kuwabara.

Yusuke raised his hand as if to shoot the Beast, but Kurama halted him, "No, stop. It's not necessary." He nodded to Byakko, who's whole body started shaking.

Kuwabara pushed himself up a little and chuckled, "Looks like it worked."

"What worked?!" Byakko demanded, clutching his stomach.

Kuwabara sat up, "It's like my sister always says, it's not good to eat too much food in one sitting!"

"Sister, huh?" Yusuke smiled, "That explains a lot."

Byakko's body started to swell up, "Uh… you…" Spirit Energy was beginning to explode out of him. There was a loud blast and the tiger beast tumbled off the tower into the chasm below.

"Down he goes!" Yusuke cheered, high-fiving Kagome.

"The amount of Spirit Energy Kuwabara transferred created a force that was more than Byakko's body could contain." Kurama explained.

"Sounds like an awful case of gas if you ask me!" Yusuke laughed.

Kagome just shook her head at her cousin, "Do you have to be so crass?"

"I'd answer that if I knew what crass meant."

"Unbelievable."

"Quiet, you guys!" Kuwabara called out. They looked over to see him breathing in the smoke from the explosion, "I'm trying to concentrate here, okay? I have to breathe in the guy's fumes. It's filled with my Spirit Energy."

"Actually, your Energy returned automatically," Kurama said as they joined him.

"Oh, uh, well you can never be too safe, right?" Kuwabara stammered.

"Hey, I don't know why you're on the ground, Kuwabara." Yusuke smiled, "I haven't even broken a sweat."

"Very funny, Urameshi. You're taking the next one."

The communication mirror began to ring. "Yusuke, this is Botan. Do you copy?"

"Sure," Yusuke said.

Kuwabara sat up eagerly. "Hey, tell her I said hi!"

Botan was slumped against a wall, Souta standing guard. "How are things in Maze Castle? Please tell me you've defeated three out of the four Saint Beasts by now!"

"What? Are you crazy Botan?" Yusuke said indignantly. "We've barely beaten two. These guys aren't easy."

"I understand Yusuke, but that's not fast enough. The city is losing its grip. The mayor declared a riot alert, thinking these people are just insane."

Kagome leaned over, "Souta, have you checked on mom and grandpa?"

"I called about an hour ago and warned them. Mom was a little disturbed that I wasn't coming home, but grandpa said that she shouldn't be upset about it. After all, look at everything you did when you were constantly traveling to the past."

"Very true."

"So, they're barricaded in the house with some of your pre-made sutras around the property line." He smiled, "You gonna teach me those?"

"Thought you'd never ask."

"So far, the police have detained most of those taken over by the Makai, but it won't be long before the police are infected as well." Botan nudged Souta and pointed to an infected coming forward.

"Okay, I get it." Yusuke sighed.

"I hope you do, Yusuke. I really do."

Botan turn the communicator around so they can watch Souta beat up the infected. He caught the can of bug spray she tossed him and blasted the possessed in the eyes, "Sorry about that, everyone. As you can see, we've been busy here, too."

Kuwabara had gotten to his feet. "See you later Botan!"

"She hung up, stupid," Yusuke rolled his eyes. "You can't be too injured if you're still flirting." He looked over and shared a smirk with Kagome.

"Well, shall we go?" Kurama said pleasantly.

The ground began to shake. A horribly familiar roar began to echo from somewhere below.

"Don't tell me," groaned Yusuke.

To be continued…