Well, this chapter picks up directly where the previous one left off. I've opted to write a number of these in advance to help the story flow more smoothly and allow them to link together more naturally. Also, on a practical level, it's good to get as much done as possible while I'm on a role... I can't risk loosing my momentum.

.o.o.o.

YU YU HAKUSHO: DARK SEASON

EPISODE 07: "The Ballad of the Fallen"

.o.o.o.

"The ideals which have lighted my way, and time after time have given me new courage to face life cheerfully, have been Kindness, Beauty, and Truth. The trite subjects of human efforts, possessions, outward success, and luxury have always seemed to me contemptible."

-Albert Einstein

.o.o.o.

Youko Kurama, Kazuma Kuwabara, and Botan made their way through the dark and ill-lit expanse of old warehouse district. Night had fallen across the city, so the only light came from the occasional lamps fixed high up on the buildings- shining down randomly in splashes of light. Cargo ships chugged along in the distance and massive tower-like cranes stood high above, motionless and ghostly.

Kurama turned to Botan and nodded. The blue haired girl, now dressed in her street clothes, nodded back at him and took off into the darkness. The two young men continued on for a while. Then, the red-haired youth turned to Kuwabara and gave him a silent nod as well- his cue to move out. The young man nodded in understanding and set into the shadows on his own. Now, Kurama was walking alone...

The others had just assumed that his recent strange behavior had something to do with the mission. They didn't realize that it was much more complicated than that. During his research, he had turned up a few things- some of which had proved troubling to the former spirit. What he felt now wasn't fear... no, he'd faced death and danger many times. No, it was different this time. He felt, somehow, that the battle would be the easy part. What was to come next... that would be the hard part.

Loss... Sadness... Regret...

It all seemed to go hand in hand with conflict. Her understood, perhaps better than anyone, how it felt to look back on ones own past and to wonder if something could have been done differently... Kurama continued on through the area, ducking and weaving in between and around the old building.

So much conflict... He mused inwardly. In his long life, he'd known a great deal of conflicts. However, it wasn't until recently in the last 18 years that he had actually bothered to stop and reflect on things... to consider the choices he had made and wonder what might have been. Of course, he was smart enough to know that nothing productive came from dwelling in the past... only sorrow. He had come to understand just how different his current life was to the one he knew before.

"Mother..." The word came to him. Such a concept wouldn't have meant much in the Makai, but in his new life, living among the humans... that word meant a great deal to him. His past deeds... everything he had once though grand... now seemed shallow and pointless when compared to what he'd experienced in this new life of his... Maternal Love. Once he shed his selfish ways and came to understand this idea, he realized that he was no longer Youko Kurama... now he was Suichi, and he had a mother who loved him. Somehow, power and brute force seemed insignificant by comparison...

He stepped out of the veil of darkness and into the loading bay at the other end of the harbor. It was dark, but no so much so that he couldn't navigate. He heard a faint clicking sound and turned in time to see a shadowy figure open fire on him.

.o.o.o.

Gado opened the door and stepped out onto the roof of the building. He paused for a moment, sensing a presence, and turned around slowly and looked up intently. He smiled at the sight of the figure standing on top of the exit enclosure.

The familiar black leather jacket and tight black pants and boots, combined with the long dark hair and pale skin was a dead giveaway. The Stray Cat had his hands tucked into his pants pockets and the chains around his neck swayed in the breeze, along with his raven hair. He smiled down at the larger demon, his red eyes gazing intently down at him. He tensed up suddenly before jumping nimbly onto the ground beside Gado.

The Shapeshifter smiled. "Sir... The Huntress, Shrapnel, has engaged Youko Kurama." He began. "Though I expect you'll want me to observe the matter first hand?" He asked calmly, looking into the profound darkness of the night sky while walking up to edge of building, seemingly unconcerned with the sheer drop right in front of him.

Gado nodded an affirmative, totally unconcerned by his friend's devil-may-care attitude. "Yes, I have a feeling... something tells me that this fight will prove most interesting." He stated calmly in an even tone. He tucked his hands into his jacket pocket and walked over to the other demon's side. "On another note, it seems that Blade has disappeared... I don't suppose you would happen to know anything about it... would you, Nawari?"

"How fascinating." Nawari replied with a smile, tilting his head at a slight angle. "No, I'm afraid not... But you might want to ask Shimmer about it, I just happened to stumble across the two of them having a 'difference of opinion'." He continued, casually shrugging his shoulders. Nawari turned back around to look at the night sky. "Now my friend, if you'll excuse me- I'd like to personally oversee the data collecting."

Gado nodded in agreement and watched as Nawari nimbly leapt into the air- his black clad form blending seamlessly into the darkness...

.o.o.o.

Kurama leapt out of the way in time to avoid the giant blast from the cannon. He landed on the roof of the building about twenty meters from where Shrapnel was standing. He began running towards her at a breakneck pace.

She steadied the gun against and let off multiple shots at him, devastating the surroundings, yet always just missing him as he moved out of the line of fire at the last secant. She growled in frustration and prepared to take another shot at him. Suddenly, Kurama jumped into the air and landed right in front of her. He had to jump back several feet to avoid being hit when she swung the cannon at him like it was a giant club.

She shifted her hold on it and flipped it back onto her shoulder and prepared to fire. This time, Kurama charged head on, straight at her. She got a shot off at him just as he tried to throw something at her. The explosion sent him flying onto his back. The redhead coughed noisily and slowly got back to his feet- Shrapnel noted that his clothes were singed and frayed and some minor scrapes and cuts were visible.

She laughed. "I was told you were a genius," She began. "Yet you charged straight into my line of fire!" She scoffed and prepared to fire again. "What?!" She exclaimed when the cannon suddenly jammed- making only a clicking sound. "How did you--?!" She started to say, but then realized that he had thrown something moments before... "So I wasn't your target then? You took the hit so you could disable my cannon?" She exclaimed. "You probably think you've gained some sort of edge over me?" She asked mockingly with a fiery voice.

She smiled and flexed her muscles. "Well, I have bad news for you," She continued, breaking into a sprint towards him. "These markings covering me are like armor- making my body harder and stronger than steel!" She called out, rushing and striking out at him. "As a result, it also allows my body to function like a weapon."

Kurama failed to react in time, and the powerful blow from the Hunter literally launched him off of the roof and sent him plunging down into the darkness below. "As you can see, it not only protects me from any attack, it also allows me to inflict heavy levels of damage as well." She jumped down from the roof and into the alleyway between the two buildings. She looked around and spotted Kurama rushing away and disappearing around a corner. "You disappoint me, running away like a coward!" She powered up and set out after him.

...

Kurama staggered along as fast as he could, moving between sections of light and dark. "She's right..." He thought silently. "Those seals... metal hide for the right arm... coiled dragon scale for the left... thorns for the torso and right side of the face... war for the left side of the face... tiger for the left leg... and ascension of darkness for the right leg..."

"As long as those are in effect, she's virtually invincible." He thought silently, heading towards a large open door of a nearby warehouse. "I wasn't counting on her being quite so powerful," He thought. "I'm not sure if this going to work..." He continued, closing in on the opening. Then, he sensed her eyes on him- sending a chill down his spine. The sudden sensation caused him to stumbled and fall down on all fours. "...She's at my heals." He murmured.

Kurama jumped to the side just in time to avoid Shrapnel's attack- the woman's fist plunging into the ground and caused a flurry of debris as a result. He stepped backwards, skidding to a halt in time to catch her fist with both hands. He could feel himself faltering as she started to overwhelm him. He jumped back and launched his rose whip at her.

...Salvation ...Redemption...

The thorny vine wrapped itself around the Huntress's left arm with a vice-like grip. She looked at her arm and flexed it- the lean muscles shifting against the weapon's hold on her. She looked over at the battered young man, noting the obvious strain in his motions as well as his uneven breath. "Somehow, I have to stop her... I have to s--"

The woman smiled deviously and looked right at him- their gazes meeting at that moment. She pulled back her arm in a quick motion, with the whip still wrapped around it. She gripped the length with her free hand and proceeded to violently pull on the rose whip- taking Kurama with it. The redhead let go of it, but not in time to come crashing down.

He propped himself up and looked at the open door. He stood back up and began running once more towards the warehouse. Shrapnel smirked at the sight of his moving form. "Alright then- I have no problem killing a moving target!" She exclaimed and took off after him.

.o.o.o.

Gado turned around in time to see the door to the roof open once again. This time, Dalton stepped out, followed by Shimmer and then a third figure emerged...

He wore a long dark gray cloak- with a red silk inner lining and high Gothic collar. He also wore a white top hat with a red band around it. He sported a matching white formal jacket (that hung open and showed his chest) complete with gray cuffs and trim, and tales He also wore matching white dress pants. He had on fancy Cuban-heeled dress shoes. He wore white gloves and held a strange-looking cane in his left hand.

The top end of the cane was smooth and appeared to be carved from ivory. It stood up about 10 inches long with the end carved in a figurehead- a skull with inset rubies for eyes. The section that that he held onto was bound up in tight red fabric. The remaining length was over five feet long- composed of a shiny black ore (similar to the color of obsidian). The end portion was capped by about an inch of silver- his nose and the areas around his eyes were dark like the sockets of a skull. The stranger quickly tucked the cane into a thick red sash around his waist.

Still, the most distinctive thing about him was that his body was completely covered in black with white markings. (Whether this was his natural appearance or a facade was unclear). White horizontal rib-like lines were visible on his chest and stomach while a segmented line ran up the back of his neck. Still, even more shocking was that his face was made up to resemble a human skull. He reached up and tipped back his hat with a gloved hand- making the decorative gold buttons on his sleeve visible.

"Gado, my old friend, it's so good to see you again after all this time." He declared- his words tinged with a strange accent. His striking blue-gray eyes were now visible in the moonlight.

Gado grinned at the ghoulish figure standing before him. "Glad you could make it, 'Doctor Samedi'." He countered with a friendly wave as if they were just two old college friends meeting again. "It's been far too long since the last time we worked together..." He added, waving his hand around in mock display of nostalgia. "So, when this project came up, I thought you would make an excellent addition to our group... as the Ninth Disciple." He added.

Samedi clapped his hands affectionately onto the sides of Gado's arms and smiled directly at him. "How could I refuse my friend." He began warmly. "Once you told me that the 'Organization' was going ahead with their plan, I knew that it was fate." He declared at the other man smiled back at him. "I know that somehow I was fated to help forge the True Path." He dded.

Gado nodded back at him, placing his hand on Samedi's shoulder and smiling at him. "Indeed, it is fate." He began. "A great destiny awaits us all." He replied, taking a step back

He then motioned to the other two demons in attendance. "This man here is Dalton West and is known as 'Badman- the Demonic Gunslinger." He explained, pointing to the male demon, who appeared to be sporting his reclaimed hat once again. "And the lady is known as Shimmer- the Mistress of Radiant Light." He explained, introducing the demoness.

The strange looking man turned to face the two of them. He tipped his hat formally. "Greetings, I am known as Doctor Samedi- Voodoo Master and Lord of Nightmares and Illusions." He announced formally with a sweeping gesture and a bow.

.o.o.o.

Kurama rushed inside the warehouse with Shrapnel hot of his trail. "NOW!" He called out.

She screeched to a halt as as five points of light flared up on the ground around her, each one about five feet from her. She looked around in surprise as the points linked up, creating a ten foot wide circle of light on the ground around her. "What the hell is this?!" She exclaimed, looking around frantically.

Kurama stopped and turned to face her. He straightened himself out and called out again. "Botan, activate stage two... now!!!" He called out. The blue-haired girl appeared and held up a talisman in her hand- calling out in a strange language. The silver object was circular with about a six inch diameter with western-style pentagram inside it.

The first point of light projected two glowing beams to the two rear-most ones, then the two on the side forms a beam of light between themselves and then projected simultaneous intersecting beams to the rear-most points. It was at this point that Shrapnel realized that she was at the center of a glowing pentagram. She gasped as the circle rose up as a wall of light- a forcefield that she was now trapped in!

She glared at Kurama, who simply stood before her with a somber gaze on his face while Botan stood by with the talisman in her hand. Suddenly, Kuwabara ran into the warehouse with his spirit sword already powered up and in hand

Kurama straightened himself out and suddenly appeared calm and composed. He walked towards Shrapnel- who was now totally trapped within the barrier. "You and I, we need to talk."

She stepped back, fuming. "Damn you- stop toying with me! How are you doing this?!" She exclaimed from the other side of the wall of light. His calm impassive expression was driving her mad.

"You certainly went to great lengths to create your ultimate defense." Kurama began. "For example, the seals protecting you left arm and left leg- Dragon and Tiger, respectively. Clearly, their origins are from the ancient Chinese Feng-Shui mythology of universal harmony." He pointed out in an even tone. "As for the seal on your right leg- Final Darkness, if I'm not mistaken- comes from the Judea-Christian creation stories... Darkness was the final curse visited upon the Pharaohs as punishment for enslaving the Israelites."

"As for that seal guarding your torso and the right section of your face- Thorns, if I'm not mistaken. It must come from the Christian faith. Their savior- who they worship as the incarnation of their God- wore a crown of thorns upon his head." Kurama explained calmly. "Now, that seal covering the left side of your face- I would assume it stands for War, as it's in the likeness of war paint. Perhaps it's intended to invoke Aries, the God of War."

"And lastly, that seal on your right arm- it's Metal... So, I think you created from the western myth of alchemy- transforming base metals like iron into valuable minerals like gold." He finished. "You see, you may have acquired a lethal understanding of my purely physical abilities... but you neglected to consider my most powerful weapon- my mind."

Kurama stepped forward, narrowing the gap between them. "Shrapnel of the Six Seals," he began. "That's the title you've been using recently... I've done my research and I know who you really are... or perhaps who you were- 'Hikari Blackwell'." He continued- leaving the Demon Huntress in shock at the sudden revelation.

She stood in silence as he continued. "How did I know?" He asked, noting the woman's bewildered expression. "It was relatively simple once I figured out you were an apparition." He explained. "I checked the Spirit World Archives for unsolved crimes... specifically for ones that matched your methods and tactics... once I was able to form a modus operandi it was simple math after that."

Kuwabara looked on in surprise at the scene before him and then turned to Botan. "Hey, what's going on?" He asked abruptly. "Why the heck is he just standing there when he's got her trapped? He wasting time!" He continued in frustration.

Before she could offer up an answer, he started to move in- towards the detective and the hunter, but stopped when Kurama held up his hand and looked over shoulder at the two of them. "This is my battle... and I will not allow you to interfere." He instructed in a grave tone, causing him to stop in his tracks. "I am sorry, but from here on out... this matter no longer concerns you." He said and turned back to Shrapnel.

They both watched silently as he spoke. "Hikari," He began. "It's time for us to discard any pretenses... from here on we will speak as one Spirit to another... as equals." He said calmly, his posture and tone contrasting sharply with the defensive air about her. "In the Makai, I was known as Youko Kurama..." He said in a distant voice.

"But my mother named me Suichi." He said as an image his mother cradling him as a baby flickered in the back of his mind, he made sure to put particular emphasis into his words when it came to mentioning his mother. He moved in closer, till he was almost touching the barrier. "Tell me Hikari... what did your mother call you?"

Shrapnel felt herself go cold when the words came out- it was almost as if the world around them shattered like old class and crumbled away... leaving only darkness. "...mother... my mother...?" She murmured softly in a trembling voice as her gaze seemed to flit about about but never directly at him. Her muscles went slack and her head fell forward... as if all her energy had left her.

"...my m-m-mother called me Hisami..." She said in a broken whisper, her faint voice cracking at the mention of the long forgotten name. The young man nodded calmly, but said nothing- allowing the silence on his end continue while other spoke.

Kurama made no move, even as that the barrier's strength and power began to fade. For the two of them, at that moment in time- 'Youko Kurama' and 'Hikari Blackwell'... nothing else really existed. She rubbed he cheek softly with her left hand before speaking up. "Kurama..." She began in a delicate voice. "...you were only part right... I did have a mother... a long time ago..." She whispered, suddenly recalling the woman who had 'raised' her.

Kuwabara walked over to Botan and looked at her- noting that she was now looking at the 'pentalisman' with a worried expression. He nodded and placed a hand on her shoulder. She looked up and him, only to see him watching the two spirits intently. "Right now, all we can do is watch... and have faith in Kurama."

Hikari had escaped into the human world in the same way that he had... by merging with the unborn daughter of a human woman. And like Kurama, she had come to know and savor the experience of her human mother's love for her. "Back then... all I wanted was to be Hisami, her daughter... it was like nothing I'd ever known... but a... a monster showed up when I was little..." She paused, feeling her eyes start to brim with tears. "... and the monster killed her... the woman who gave birth to me... my mother..."

Kurama tilted his head slightly to get a better look and noted grimly that tears were now freely running down her shadowed face. But what happened next even surprised him!

She started sobbing violently. "...h-he killed my mommy..." She cried out between choked sobs. However, what really shocked him was that the voice she spoke in seemed different- the cold confidence was gone... replaced with a shockingly frail and childlike tone. He guessed that she was must be undergoing some sort of regression as a result of recalling the traumatic memories.

She continued to cry hysterically like a broken-hearted little girl. "The monster- the Bogeyman -he came and..." She paused again, trying to force air into her stinging lunges. "...He spa-splattered mommy's blood all over me... he took her away from me...!" She said between tears. Now, however, bits of her old voice were seeping back into her words. "I couldn't tell what was her blood and what was my tears!"

It was hard for Kurama to remain calm and collected... He understood better then anyone just how much the love of a parent meant- he had been willing to give his own life to save his mother- after all, what was his life when weighed against the act of bringing him into the world and showing him so much love? It was a small price in his mind. But as Yusuke- of all people- had told him all those years ago- saving her would mean nothing if she was left to spend her life grieving over him.

Hikari suddenly looked up at him again. This time, she seemed eerily calm when she spoke, her words were mechanical and emotionless, as if she was shell-shocked. "I was so happy back then... but those days are long gone." She said in an almost monotone voice. "People who lead 'boring' lives are lucky... but I wasn't one of them..." She finished, melancholy and bitterness now seeping into her voice. "Maybe the gods were punishing me for stealing happiness I didn't deserve...?"

Kurama shook his head at her words and held out his hands. "I can't truly begin to properly understand the profound depths of your sadness..." He offered, his tone gentle. "...you were left all alone... with nothing but grief and resentment inside you... so you turned to vengeance." He continued.

"To be hurt so deeply that you sought a means to numb your soul... to harden your heart so that you could never be hurt again..." He explained gravely, stepping into the circle.

Botan covered her mouth and stumbled back, horrified at the story unfolding before them. "...my god." She murmured softly as tears started to run down her cheeks. Kuwabara allowed her to lean into him... she had never been very good at keeping herself composed, so he didn't mind.

Now Kurama was inside the barrier with her- the fact that he had come in showed that it was drained to such an extent that she could have escaped... however, she was clearly in no condition to make such a move. "You found the powers you needed to become a mercenary for demons." Kurama explained as she felt her knees grow weak. He was quick to move closer as she began to falter.

Kuwabara's felt something akin to cold wind passing through him as he considered everything that he had heard thus far. She shook his head while Botan leaned against him. "...she was just a kid." He remarked in a whisper.

Hikari fell to her knees and Kurama was quick to kneel down before her. "When a person knows only violence, there lives will always lead them to conflict and unhappiness." He reasoned to her. "You tried to stop the pain by harming others..." He added. "Yet, in truth... you were harming yourself more than anything else."

By now, Kurama and Hikari were so immersed in their conversation that it was like their were on stage and the lights had gone down- the only illumination was the spotlight shining on the two of them. She had fallen to her knees and covered her eyes as she began shed yet more tears. She heard a distant voice calling to her and looked up to see the kneeling figure of Kurama before her- his arm outstretched and dangling a small locket before her.

The thin silver chain had a circular object attached to it with a round white ore embedded in it, the elevated rounded surface of the stone picked up the moonlight coming in through the open windows of the old building. Recollection flooded through her as she looked at it in amazement- she remembered it, it was a gift from her mother!

He brought his hand up briefly, over his mouth as if he were rubbing the underside of his nose and brought it back down.

Kurama deftly tossed it to her in a small arcing pass through the air. She caught it easily enough in her outstretched hand. A sense of shame and regret suddenly washing over her. "My god," She thought to herself. "...I've failed her as well now... No good as a fighter, no good a criminal, and no good as daughter..." She thought sadly. "...I've dishonored her memory... I'm just a worthless misfit trapped inside an armored shell!" She thought bitterly.

She was suddenly pulled back to reality when Kurama captured her hand in his like a hawk! She panicked as he reached around her with his other arm- and while supporting the base of her back, knocked her backwards,leaving her teetering off balance. Still holding onto her, he though to himself. "Its time... for Youko and Suichi to act as one." He mused inwardly. "This is it, the duty of a man." He continued silently.

Hikari panicked as he leaned in closer, and looked at her with an unnerving and penetrating stare. She could see it in his eyes- his true nature, his predatory instinct was obvious to her. He mind reeled as the notion of her imminent death dominated her thoughts.

Kurama moved in... and kissed her! The action was fast and quick at first as his lips pressed hard against hers and her eyes went wide in a mix of horror and confusion. The power of his actions left her week and unable to do little more than submit to him... But then, she felt oddly calm as he maintained the contact... The kiss quickly became infinitely more gentle and soothing, especially as he cupped the side of her face softly with his free hand while tilting slightly to the side to deepen it. Her whole body felt warm and soothed and she knew that she was blushing now... and then, almost reflexively, she leaned into the kiss- desperate to prologue the connection.

After several more secants, they broke the kiss and he pulled back- smiling warmly at her and running his hand down from her cheek to rest reassuringly on her shoulder. "You're free now... Hikari, look at your true self." He murmured softly to her.

She glanced down at herself and gasped in shock when she saw that the markings were totally gone from her. Her soft fair skin was now visible instead, yet her form and the muscle tone in her arms and legs as well her defined stomach was still visible. However, there was a degree of softness to her now... even in her hair, which seemed to hang down around her face, brushing against her smooth skin. Her mind was a mess as she tried to make sense- "how had he deactivated the seals?" she wondered.

However, she suddenly felt faint and would have fallen to the floor if not for Kurama's intervention- moving in to support her and cradle her against his frame. "It's alright... Hisame," He spoke, almost whispering. "After everything you've been through, you can finally rest... the bad dreams can finally end." He told her gently.

(- End of Chapter 7 -)

.o.o.o.

Believe it or not, the last section of this chapter has been in existence for years. I drew the entire conversation in the form of a comic back around 2006, during my summer vacation. So, it's something I've been holding onto for a very long time. This is one of the few things I always planned to do in this story that didn't undergo any real change at all.

Also, Ken Nagashima was always going to be in the story, as well as the idea of one of the Disciples being in the likeness of the Haitian Voodoo Lord, Baron Samedi. Originally, Shrapnel was the only female one, but I ended up changing this as some of the originals ultimately were not good enough- Shimmer is a good example this change, as well as a character I've really gotten to like. I also planned to have Yusuke take part in the battle in some way, but as the story evolved- I realized that it would be bad to just force him in for the sake of being there.

Since I'm intending for this to be a fairly long storyline, I created a large cast of characters just as I did in Saga of the Dark World. Some people, if they read that story, might recall a few things hinting to events in this story that will now make sense. Anyway, I've still got a lot more to do in the next few chapters, so I'll wrap this up.

Special thanks to everyone who's come out to show support for both me and this story- as well as any of my others works.

-Bojack727