Chapter Six: Kuwabara's Fight
The team had made their way up the stairwell without any interference. They decided to stop on a small landing that overlooked the castle for a little rest.
"Who do you think should fight the next round." Yusuke asked the group. Kainna jumped gracefully on the ledge of the window, taking a seat to rest.
"Kurama is healed but he shouldn't strain himself." Kainna spoke up for her patient. If need be, he could fight, but she didn't want him to re-open his wound.
"That means we have four fighters left, and one of them is useless." Hiei stated with a glance over at Kuwabara.
"Hey, don't be so hard on yourself, short stuff." Kuwabara grinned over at Hiei, returning the insult back to him. Kainna rolled her eyes at the two, a fond smile on her face. At least they were entertaining.
"I think he meant you." Yusuke clarified. Kuwabara stood in front of the group, as if ready to present something.
"Hey, I wasn't doing nothing for 6 months while you two trained with Genkai. I wasn't going to let you get better than me. Watch this, spirit sword!" Kuwabara focused his energy into his hands, a red sword made of energy appeared. He started pointing it around at the group, Kainna scrunched up her nose in annoyance.
"And you guys worry about me wasting my energy." She complained. Kainna didn't like how reckless and carefree Kuwabara seemed to be. It was one thing to joke around, another to be stupid.
"Because you are actually valuable to the team. Unlike him." Hiei crossed his arms and leaned against the window pane next to where Kainna was sitting. She noticed he seemed more comfortable around her now, a warmth spread through her at the thought.
"I don't even need that wooden handle, its just my pure energy. I bet it could even kick the crap out of your spirit gun." Kuwabara taunted Yusuke.
"Depends what finger I use." Yusuke replied, his middle finger raised. Kainna grinned from his implication. She liked Yusuke for his smart mouth, it always made her smile.
"Well, as it turns out he's only partially useless." Hiei continued, his words pushing Kuwabara over the edge. He pointed his spirit sword directly at Hiei.
"Hey, want to die?"
"I dare you." Kainna shivered from the threat in Hiei's voice. She found herself more and more intrigued by the demon. She couldn't wait to see him fight.
"Cut it out." Yusuke had to break up the two yet again. But Kuwabara wasn't done showing off yet.
"Yea yea, I bet he'll be sorry with what else I can do. Watch this. Sword get long!" Kainna watched as Kuwabara's sword grew in length, hitting the ceiling above them. "I can make it any length I want. I know I got a little freaked when Genbu showed up but that's not going to happen again. Leave the next opponent to me." Kuwabara pointed to himself with all confidence before suddenly falling.
"Don't worry guys, sometimes the sword makes me a little dizzy." Yusuke looked over at Kainna, expecting her to do something about Kuwabara.
"Hey, I heal fighters, not show offs who deplete their own energy before a fight. He did this to himself." Kainna crossed her arms in defiance. She wasn't going to give away her energy just for someone to show off their moves, not when they still had three fights to go through. It was different to show off in battle when you were winning, but they weren't even fighting yet.
Before Yusuke could argue, his communicator started to ring. Botan appeared on the screen. Kainna listened as Botan explained her worries of the bugs taking over children but before she could explain further a man possessed starting to charge her. She fought him off after some struggle but before Botan could speak, a howl echoed throughout the castle. It was so loud it caused the castle to shake, pieces of brick cracked and crumbled around them.
Kainna always seemed to be taken by surprise, any loud noise would startle her. And in this case, the howl caused her to jump in fright. Her movement, along with the shaking of the castle caused her to slip off the edge of the window she sat in. Her back fell through the window as her hands reached forward to grab anything. Shit, now I have to use my energy. Kainna thought to herself and laced the soles of her feet with energy, she was planning on scaling the wall, with the help of her sai daggers if she needed to, and back to her original position. Hopefully before anyone noticed her clumsiness but surprisingly, she didn't have to. Her hand that had tried to grab the windowpane was now holding someone's hand and within seconds she was pulled back through the window. She landed on her feet, which cracked the brick beneath her from the energy she had stored there and came face to face with Hiei. His hand was holding hers firmly, their bodies now within a foot of each other. Kainna blinked stupidly at him, still surprised not to be flying out the window. Hiei broke their eye contact, although his hand still gripped her's. He looked down at the floor where her spirit energy had broken the brick.
"I guess you didn't need my help after all." Hiei was originally going to scold her for being so clumsy, a trait he thought only the ugly human had, but found he wasn't as annoyed with her as he was with the human. Further, he found himself surprised that she didn't really need his help, she had seemed to have some sort of backup plan as her feet were laced with energy.
"But I'm happy to have it." Kainna smiled softly at him, his eyes widening slightly in response. She didn't need his help, but she wanted it. "Thank you, Hiei." It was the first time she had spoken his name. Another howl broke through the moment, Kainna jumped again and ripped her hand away from Hiei's. He noticed it immediately, her fingers were noticeably cold, almost icy, when he grabbed her. His own body temperature was higher than normal; having been born in flames. To feel her cold hand against his brought a shiver down his spine, one he found he liked. Hiei scowled at the thought, what was happening to him?
Kainna felt the difference as well, her fingers were now tinged with warmth. Her other hand felt numb in comparison.
"It's Byakko! And it appears he's in a bad mood." Kurama spoke, directing the two demons' attention back to the conversation. Kainna was happy they hadn't noticed her slip up, especially Kuwabara... he would have never let her live it down.
"Let's go!" Yusuke ordered as another howl caused the ceiling to crumble behind them. They all ran ahead to avoid getting crushed. Kainna's good mood dimmed, she really hated running. She stole a glance at Hiei who was running alongside her, she didn't understand why he was running at their speed, he could've made it to the top already. Maybe he was finally being part of the team?
They made it to the top of the tower and out through the doorway to find a wide bridge that lead to a platform. On top of the platform, looking down at them, was the source of the howling.
"Byakko." Hiei spoke the name of the saint beast before them, a tiger like figure dressed in a cloth, his tailing smashing the ground around him.
"Intruders, you'll pay for coming this far into my territory." He howled again. Hiei smirked, his adrenaline rushing with the thought of fighting a worthy opponent.
"I'll fight him." Kainna eyes slanted a glance over at him, she was itching to see him fight as well. But, both their dreams were crushed when Kuwabara stepped forward.
"Back off, didn't I say I was going to take the next one." Although Kuwabara's voice sounded confident, he sure didn't look it. He stepped forward on shaky feet, his face filled with worry.
"He sure looks confident." Kainna muttered sarcastically. Kuwabara looked terrified as he stopped walking as Byakko let out another howl.
"Don't get so too proud of yourselves just because you tore apart Genbu. He was weak. He could talk to the demons in the city through the castle walls, that's why we didn't kill him sooner. We've been trapped in this castle without any prey; no meat, no bones, no blood. Until now." Byakko growled, his pupils dialating to tiny points as he stared at the group.
"Humans, I will rip you apart and eat you myself!" His eyes then moved towards a demons in the group. "Hiei, Kurama I'll feed your bodies to the fugaki." Byakko eyes settle on the female, a sadistic grin on his face.
"Kainna." Her eyes narrowed; he shouldn't have known her name. "What a pleasure it is to have a moon demoness here. I am excited to taste your energy." His tongue licked his lips in anticipation. Kainna scrunched up her face in disgust. "With no other females in the castle, I'm sure you know what awaits you after all your male companions are defeated." All the males, besides Kuwabara who didn't understand what the beast was implying, narrowed their eyes at Byakko. Hiei gripped the handle of his sword, he could make it across the bridge before Kuwabara could complain.
"Why? Tired of sucking the other beasts' dicks?" Kainna spoke, her voice harsh. Everyone besides Yusuke, who was hiding his laughter behind his hand, looked shocked at the filthy words coming from the young demoness's mouth. Hiei's astonished look switched to pride as he smirked at the beast in front of them, his hand leaving his sword.
"I forgot how filthy your mouth can get when you're mad." Yusuke nudged Kainna who stayed still, her eyes stationary on Byakko. Yusuke looked worriedly at her, she was never this serious.
"What did you say to me!?" Byakko's anger increased, his eyes looked even more crazed.
"I wouldn't think you would want her to repeat that, unless it's true?" Hiei taunted Byakko even further. Byakko growled before letting out a howl so loud that it caused most of the bridge to collapse, leaving only a narrow path. It forced the group to stand near the opening of the doorway they had walked through.
"Enough nonsense! It's a long trip to the ground, and I will send you all there unless you come to fight me." Byakko yelled from the other side of the bridge.
"You really think you can beat him?" Hiei questioned Kuwabara who arrogantly ran his hand through his hair.
"Of course I can beat him. In fact, I'm not scared at all."
"Oh, so your legs are just shaking out of eagerness." Yusuke looked down at Kuwabara's legs.
"Leave me alone, Urameshi. I'm just scared of heights." Kuwabara stood up straighter but still took shaking steps towards Byakko.
"If you want, I'll fight him." Kainna voice broke through the argument. Hiei was surprised by the monotone sound, he hadn't heard her voice void of emotion until this moment. Her eyes never left Byakko's form, her energy had slipped through the wall she had built to hide it and was now giving her body a light, white aura. Hiei could feel the coolness of it from his position, a refreshing feeling that left him energized and wanting a fight of his own. But, if Kuwabara yielded his fight to her there was nothing Hiei could do but watch.
"Kainna," Kuwbara suddenly got serious. Kainna finally looked away from Byakko to Kurabara, she had never heard him so serious. "It may have taken me a few more seconds to realize what Byakko meant..."
"More like minutes..." Hiei couldn't help but mutter. Kuwabara glared over at the short demon. Kainna smirked at the interruption.
"Shut up, I was being serious!" Kuwabara screamed at Hiei before turning his face back to a serious expression. "As I was saying. I know what he said, and I'm not going to lose to someone who would threaten a woman like that." Kuwabara grinned and held a thumbs up to Kainna, whose own expression turned to surprise. She didn't think Kuwabara thought much of her, especially since she also made funny remarks about him as well and made him angry at her. But Yusuke also did that... and they were best friends. Maybe that's how he made friends; Kainna smiled brightly at the thought. Kuwabara stared dumbly at Kainna, he had never seen her smile like that before. All thoughts left his brain in those moments.
Hiei noticed the exchange, an anger settled in the pit of his stomach. Irrational and burning, Hiei couldn't fathom why he felt this way all of a sudden. He glared at the human, it had to be because of him. Why was he just staring at her like that instead of fighting?
"Hurry up ugly, or I'll fight this beast myself." Hiei growled in annoyance. Kuwabara snapped out of his daze.
"Leave me alone! I'm going." He yelled back before turning around and continuing to the platform in front of Byakko. Kainna stole a glance at Hiei, why was he so angry? Hiei felt her stare but choose to ignore it for now. He felt unusual, like something was changing and he didn't like it.
"Only one human?" Byakko laughed at Kuwabara as he stood ready, waiting to fight. "I can tear you to little pieces with nothing but the hairs on my face." Byakko plucked a few strains of hair and blew on them. His energy laced the hairs and transformed them into large cat-like creatures. Kuwabara looked around nervously, one of the cats charged at him and scratched his chest. He stood up quickly and summoned his spirit sword and attacked the cats without strategy. Kainna sighed and leaned against the wall behind her.
"I was hoping that confidence boost would aide his fighting abilities...I guess not." Kainna muttered.
"Come on Kuwabara put your back against a wall." Yusuke cupped his hands around his mouth to make his scream louder but Kuwabara continued to attack, not listening or hearing Yusuke.
"He has no strategy. He's swinging his sword around with the grace of a fly swatter, that's no way to survive." Hiei was getting even more annoyed with this human. Kuwabara got attacked again and again, even though Yusuke offered to take his place.
"I'm not asking for help, if you come up here I'll turn my sword on you. I'm not a wimp and I'm not stopping until I win or Byakko kills me himself." Kuwbara yelled back at Yusuke.
"Beasts, you may now tear off his arms and legs, but leave the body and head for me to finish." Byakko ordered. Kainna pushed herself off the wall, standing to full attention now. She raised her fist angrily.
"Hey! I just fix-" But before she could finish her complaint, Kuwabara did for her.
"Sorry monsters but you can't, Kainna just fixed these arms and she'll kill me if I break them again." Kainna laughed, startling Hiei next to her.
"I'm glad he knows I'll kill him." She grinned. Hiei smirked.
"Could you do that even if he doesn't break his arms again?" Kainna shifted her eyes to Hiei, a smile still in place.
"You'd like that, wouldn't you?"
"Hey Kuwabara, think about it. There's no way you'll win against those beast just swinging your sword around." Yusuke yelled. Kuwabara looked as if he thought of something brilliant.
"You're right!" He ran back over the bridge, the cat-like monsters following in single file. Kainna reached behind her to grip the handle of one of her sai daggers as it seemed Kuwabara was retreating towards them.
"There you see, even the fool runs away." Hiei stood up straighter at the prospect of fighting, he noticed Kainna had grabbed her sai as well. He was curious to see how well she fought with those.
"I'll tag in as soon as he screams for help." Yusuke spoke confidently as Kuwabara neared them. But before any of them could do anything, Kuwabara turned around and shoved his sword into the mouth of the first cat and extended it until they were all impaled by his sword,
"Nice one Kuwabara." Yusuke praised.
"Yea, he actually did something clever." Hiei smirked at the human. Kainna let go of her sai handle, her expression becoming more relaxed. Kuwabara talked with Yusuke about the cat-like monster shish kabab as Byakko made his next move. He released more energy to power the monsters he had created. They charged forward, forcing Kuwabara to turn around and run towards the rest of the team. They all moved out of his way as he circled around the tower. Hiei glanced at Kainna.
"Think he knows it's a circle?" Kainna grinned at his comment but before she could reply Kuwabara had made his way around. He grabbed the tip of the sword that was poking out of the last cat creature and locked it with the hilt of the sword in his hand.
"He tied his energy together? He has no common sense!" Hiei was astonished at this human's clever stupidity.
"That's something I call Spirit Sword Monster Beast donut." Kuwabara declared happily. Byakko did not find it as amusing; he muttered to himself about his prey mocking him, his voice sounding less and less sane. He howled loudly and dispelled his monsters, taking the tower along with them. Kuwabara walked over to Byakko, mocking him all the way.
"Well, he sure got his confidence back quickly." Kainna sighed. "It's like with one right move he has to make 5 stupid ones."
"What are the odds he starts calling for his mommy?" Yusuke replied. But they were all surprised as Kuwabara managed to strike Byakko multiple times with his spirit sword. But something was wrong, as Kuwabara attacked, he seemed to get weaker as Byakko got stronger. They all watched as Byakko increased in size, just as Kuwabara's spirt sword got shorter.
"He's stealing Kuwabara's energy." Kurama explained. But Kuwabara didn't care, even with Yusuke yelling at him. He charged again at Byakko, loosing even more of his energy to Byakko. Kuwabara didn't give up though, he charged up his sword again and struck Byakko in his mouth directly.
"This might not be good." Kurama worried. Kuwabara's energy was being zapped out of him directly now, the light from his energy crackling around him before dying out. He knelt on the ground but manager to summon a small dagger of energy. Byakko kicked Kuwabara away from him. He laid pathetically on the floor as everyone watched Byakko approach to kill him.
"So, he's really going to die." Yusuke sounded sad as he watched the scene before him.
"No, there is a way. Byakko's body stopped expanding half-way through that attack. That indicates vulnerability." Kurama interrupted Yusuke's thoughts with a positive comment but Hiei was quick to shoot them down.
"Don't get his hopes up, Kurama. Maybe with you fighting, but that fool will never see it." Kainna noticed Byakko's growth rate before as well, and couldn't help but wonder if she would have had an easy time going against him since she had much more spirit energy than Kuwabara.
Byakko kicked Kuwabara over again, but this time Kuwabara looked like he had a plan. He charged energy into his hand again, managing to block Byakko's attack with a full sword of energy. He charged at Byakko again, letting him eat the rest of his energy.
"I don't think I have room left to eat your body." Byakko patted his stomach. "I'll just have to crush you instead." Yusuke raised his arm up in preparation to shoot but Kurama stopped him.
"Wait." He instructed Yusuke. Byakko's body started to expand and ripple in different places before suddenly exploding and taking down half the platform with him.
"The amount of spirit energy Kuwabara transferred made it a force greater than Byakko's body could withstand." Kurama explained to Yusuke.
"This would have been such an easy fight for me." Kainna stretched her hands over her head. "I would have loved to kill him." She hummed to herself in thought. Hiei couldn't help but overhear her.
"I hate to disappoint but, you'll have to share the last beast with Yusuke, because I'm calling the next one for myself." Hiei's confident voice broke through her thoughts, keeping her hands stretched over her head she glanced over at Hiei.
"Alright. I have to admit, I've been looking forward to seeing you fight." A smile graced her lips, she lowered her arms and approached him. "You'll make it interesting, I'm sure?" Hiei smirked confidently.
"Of course I will. If your eyes can keep up with my speed..." Hiei couldn't help but tease her. It was in his nature, he even joked with Kurama and he could already tell it was her type of nature to tease as well. Her reaction was all that he needed to confirm that.
"Was that a challenge, Hiei?" She hummed back in question. Hiei thought it sounded more like a purr and couldn't help the shiver that ran down his spine. He liked the sound of his name with that voice. He blinked away that thought as quickly as he could. "I might move a little slow, but I bet my eyes can keep track of you." She had a toothy grin on her face, her teal eyes glinted with excitement.
"A bet?" Hiei repeated with a grin of his own.
"Hey, quiet you guys!" Kuwabara yelled. While the two demons were chatting so were Yusuke and Kurama. "I'm trying to concentrate! I need to inhale the fumes so I can get my spirit energy back."
"Actually, your energy returned automatically."
"I don't know why you're on the ground, I've barely broken a sweat." Yusuke teased.