Disclaimer: See Chapter One.
Added: The following disclaimers apply to this and all future chapters.
I do not own nor make a profit by mentioning the movie Night of the Living Dead. This includes any type of merchandise; including but not limited to toys, movies, action figures, comics, ect. It belongs to John A. Russo, George A. Romero, Image Ten, Laurel Group, Market Square Productions, The Walter Reade Organization, Market Square Productions, Russell W. Streiner, Karl Hardman, Tom Savini, 21st Century Film Corporation, Columbia Pictures, and anyone else I missed.
I do not own nor make a profit by using the song: Grim Grinning Ghosts ( The Screaming Song) by Buddy Baker and X Atencio. Whether it be merchandise, songs, albums, the ride it came from, ect. It belongs to Buddy Baker, X Atencio, Walt Disney Theme Parks, Walt Disney Corporation, and anyone else that I missed.
I do not own nor make a profit by mentioning the character Aladdin from the movie Aladdin. This includes merchandise, movies, tv shows, comics, toys, ect. It belongs to Ron Clements, John Musker, Tedd Elliot, Terry Rossio, Walt Disney Pictures, Walt Disney Feature Animations, Buena Vista Pictures, and anyone else that I missed.
Warnings: See Chapter One.
"Singing"
'Thinking'
Chapter 8: Final Boss Battle
"One enemy left guys! Let's make it quick! Gotta get back to the city!" Yusuke said as he ran up another set of stairs.
The rest of the group were right on his heels. They all wanted this entire mission to be over with and quick.
"Right!" Kuwabara and Joann said with a nod.
Yusuke's left pocket began to beep. Without missing a beat, Yusuke pulled out the compact communicator.
"Yeah?" he answered, holding the screen in front of him.
"It's Botan! I've got news! I'm at your school, I've got Keiko with me and we're surrounded by bug infested maniacs!" Botan said.
There was some fear in her pink eyes.
Joann and Kuwabara looked at each other before getting closer to Yusuke. They looked over Yusuke's shoulder, or rather Kuwabara looked over his shoulder. Joann was able to run alongside the spirit detective.
"They're clearly after Keiko...with murder on their minds!" Botan said, panic in her voice.
"Get out of there!" Yusuke growled, holding the communicator tighter in his hand.
~With Botan~
Keiko had been standing close to Botan. She noticed an infested Mr. Iwamoto appear out of nowhere. She gasped, turning to the distracted Botan.
"Oh no!" she shouted.
'What are you doing out of uniform?" asked the zombie like Mr. Iwamoto.
He seemed focused on the girl of death. The blue haired girl was too distracted to notice.
"We will! You get that whistle first!" Botan said into the communicator.
Mr. Iwamoto began to foam out of his mouth, bringing his hand back.
"Rule breakers!" he shouted before bringing his fist towards the girl.
"Look out!" Keiko yelled as she tackled Botan.
They had just missed the ground splitting punch. The two landed hard on the ground, causing the blue haired girl to drop the communicator. The zombified teacher crushed it underneath his foot.
~Back To Yusuke~
"Hey! Botan, what happened?!" Yusuke shouted, staring down at the communicator.
All he got was static and a black screen.
"Botan!" he shouted before putting it back into his pocket.
"Times running out! Gotta finish this!" Yusuke growled.
The group picked up their speed.
~In Suzaku's Lair~
An evil grin crossed Suzaku's lips. He watched Yusuke's reaction on the big screen.
"You were right Murg. His composure is cracked. I look forward to his reaction when he sees his girl's mutilated body. Better stall them until I have her in my clutches. My productive-model hominids should do the trick." Suzaku said with a sickening laugh.
~Back With the Group~
What felt like an eternity, the group exited the long stair case. They had entered another area, which seemed to be outside. Straight ahead was a tower that looked to be the last place to this castle.
'That's it, that tower!" Kuwabara shouted, pointing at the tower.
The group began to head towards where the final boss lay.
"The big boss's chamber is at the top!" Yusuke shouted as they ran.
"Video game cliché much?" Joann said with a sigh.
Kuwabara nodded in agreement.
The closer they got to the tower, they could clearly see the entrance. The group could also see something coming out of the entrance. They skidded to a stop and stood there, staring.
"What the hell are those things?!" Yusuke asked with a disgusted look.
Humanoid looking creatures slowly came from the entrance. They reminded the group of a mix of zombies and swamp people. They had green slim coming off their body and walked like a zombie.
"They're productive model hominoids. Humanoid form, yet mindless creatures. They are slow moving, but they obey their masters without question." Kurama explained.
"Looks more like a scene from Night of the Living Dead, if you ask me." Grimaced Joann.
"I didn't like you liked horror movies." Kuwabara asked, looking a bit confused at the girl.
"I don't. But who doesn't know of that movie." Joann said with a smile.
"We don't got time for this!" growled Yusuke as he began to power up his arm.
He brought his hand back, ready to blow up the creatures with his shot gun attack. Kurama's hand held his shoulder, catching the spirit detective's attention. Kurama looked at him with a confused yet serious look.
"Hold on! Don't expend yourself! Lose your cool and you'll play right into Suzaku's hands!" Kurama said.
"But they're like a zillion of those buggers!" Kuwabara said with worry.
"Yeah! And there's no other way to get through!" growled a frustrated Yusuke.
Kurama stood there for a moment, in thought before looking over the tower.
"Maybe there is-" Hiei said, getting the group's attention.
He pointed his finger towards the tower, causing them to look where he pointed.
"Look up there! See that open window?"
"What?! Jeez, Hiei, we're not grasshoppers! None of us could possibly jump that high!" Yusuke said with a look.
He felt like the fire demon was beginning to loose his mind.
"Not from here, no." Hiei said with a nod.
Joann watched as Hiei explained the idea. In front of her eyes, she witnessed the construction of a human totem pole. Kuwabara being the base, Kurama standing on Kuwabara's shoulders, and Hiei at the top.
Kuwabara grunted and had some sweat from the added weight.
"You okay?" Kurama asked, a bit concerned for his new comrade.
He could feel the slight shake from the human teen.
"Why me? Why me all the time?" Kuwabara growled.
The weight seemed to make Kuwabara bend over a bit. He was almost eye level with the girl.
"Because you are the tallest and strongest?" Joann said with a soft smile.
Kuwabara couldn't help but smile back.
"I guess so, but still..." Kuwabara said with a huff.
"Hey! Why aren't you helping?!" Kuwabara asked, noticing the girl wasn't helping.
Joann shrugged.
"No one asked me to help."
Kuwabara sweat dropped. It was true. Kurama couldn't help but smirk before turning serious.
"Okay, hold on! Here we go!" Kurama shouted, noticing Yusuke was done doing stretches.
Joann turned and noticed the humanoids were getting too close. She looked back at the totem. They were basically sitting ducks. She took in a deep breath before pulling out her bat. It was starting to show some battle wear and tear.
"Just hold out a bit longer." she whispered to it, gripping the handle tightly.
"I'll keep them away until you guys are done!" she shouted before rushing into the humanoids.
"Joann!" Kuwabara shouted.
Joann was able to whack a couple of the creatures backwards into the rest. She grinned.
"You've got one shot!" Kuwabara shouted, glancing back towards Yusuke. "Make it count, Urameshi!"
"That's the plan! Don't get yerselves killed, until I get back!" Yusuke shouted, glancing quickly towards the girl, who seemed to be fairing pretty well.
He took a deep breath before rushing towards the three.
Joann whacked another humaniod before wiping away some green 'blood' from her face.
"Ick! That's just not right!" she blenched.
She heard a thud from behind her. She turned and saw as Kuwabara fell onto the ground, while the other two landed on their feet. Yusuke soared above her. She watched in awe as his outstretched hand reached towards the open window. Everyone seemed to hold their breath as they watched him.
Yusuke's hand gripped onto the edge of the window before he pulled himself up.
"I'll be twanked! It worked!" shouted a surprised yet happy Kuwabara.
Yusuke sat in the window as he turned towards the group.
"You bet it did! Thanks guys! If we get back alive, lunch is on me!" he shouted, giving a thumbs up.
"We'll hold you to that!" Kuwabara said with a grin, giving him a thumbs up back.
"Better not be ramen!" Joann shouted with a laugh.
Joann yelped before smashing in a humanoids head. She had to pay more attention.
"Just don't get killed!" Yusuke growled.
"Just go!" Joann shouted with a huff, before hitting two more.
Yusuke nodded before vanishing into the tower.
The other three came up behind her and began to fight.
Joann seemed to get closer to the entrance as she began to make a small path. But the humanoids began to close in behind her as she fought, keeping the guys from following her 'path'. She didn't seem to notice but focused on fighting the creatures. She began to think of a song, something that would have been perfect to use as an 'AMV'. She would make anime music videos, as they were called.
She couldn't help but smile before humming the song, hearing the words in her head. She couldn't help the small smile as the humming began to slowly turn into a sentence or two here and there.
"Spooks come out for a swinging wake." she sung before going back to humming.
Joann swung her bat again, killing a few more and getting closer to the entrance.
The three boys didn't seem to notice her humming/singing, or the fact she was getting closer to the entrance, while they were being pushed back.
"Now don't close your eyes and don't try to hide, or a silly spook may sit by your side" She sung aloud before going back to humming again.
This time, her singing got a bit louder and it caught the boy's attention.
"What is she doing?" Hiei asked with a raised eyebrow, slicing down two more humanoids.
"I don't know..." Kuwabara answered with a confused look.
However, it was here he noticed she was completely surrounded by the humanoids, but was also a few feet from the entrance.
"They pretend to terrorize, ahhhhh!" she sung before making a really horrible 'scream'.
It was more like a mock scream, as if it was part of the song.
"Hey! Carson-san!" he shouted.
He thought she was in danger at the small 'scream' but realized she was just into the song. He sweat dropped at this. He yelped as a humaniod jumped at him, causing him to growl as he took out his other sword.
Joann didn't notice anything but was totally into the song.
"Grim Grinning Ghosts come out to socialize!" she sung.
"Does she always do this?" Kurama asked, with a raised eye brow, using his whip to crush a group of humanoids that had surrounded him.
"This is the first time I've seen her do this!" Kuwabara shouted as he sliced down two more groups.
Hiei snorted but kept an eye out on the girl.
"When you hear the knell of a requiem bell, weird glows gleam where spirit's dwell." Joann sung, this time her voice turned from a low alto to a false soprano.
But now she was about to enter the entrance. She had her eyes open by now and smirked as she cleared her way through into the tower.
"Carson-san!" Kuwabara shouted with wide eyes.
However, there was nothing he could do. There was no way to enter the tower as it was still flooded with humanoids.
"Restless bones etherealize, rise as spooks of every size!" she sung in that false soprano voice before laughing almost maniacally.
She began to climb the steps, it still not registering in her mind as she fought more humanoids.
"If you would like to join our jamboree, there's a simple rule that's compulsory." she sang, back in that low voice.
She jumped up a couple steps, passing by the window, not realizing it.
"Mortals pay a token fee!" she sang, back into the soprano voice.
"Rest in peace, the haunting's free! So hurry back, we would like your company!" she finished out in the low voice.
Joann noticed that there weren't any more humanoids. But it was here she noticed she was in the tower. She sweat dropped, as she realized she was the only one in the tower.
"Well, nowhere to go but up I guess." She said to herself.
She continued to climb the rest of the way in silence. However, it wasn't too long of a walk as she entered a huge room.
It was practically empty, besides a huge chair and a huge mirror with beautiful designs framing it. In the mirror was Botan and Keiko, who looked terrified. Joann's eyes widened as she fully noticed her surroundings.
Not to far from her, Yusuke was on his knees. He was screaming as he was being held by two beautiful creatures, as the one electrocuting him looked just like them.
The demon's were beautiful and looked to be human. He wore baggy pants that stopped a few inches before his ankles. It reminded her kind of Aladdin's pants. His top looked to be part of his pants, it was sleeveless and had a scarf like cloth cover his upper shoulders. The scarf went behind him and went down his back. he had two long bangs that ended in a point; both strands blood red. He wore a band around his forehead, a red jewel in the middle of the golden band. his hair was short, yet a bit spiky and yellowish orange. This was the last of the four saint beasts; the head and cause of this mission.
Suzaku.
"You're a lucky man, Yusuke Urameshi. Thanks to me, you're both audience and protagonist for this stirring tale-of a cruel unrelenting tragedy." Suzaku said as he looked at Yusuke.
The two identical clones of the demon, continued to electrocute him with in their hold. Two others stood off to the side looking just as amused.
"Yusuke..." Joann whispered, clutching the hilt of her bat, which was still in her hands.
Suzaku stiffened in his seat, as if he heard something. Joann yelped as those purple eyes turned towards her.
"It seems we have a guest appearance." he said a bit amused.
"Ahhhh..." Joann said with a worried look crossing her face.
'Shit...' she thought.
"YUSUKE!"
Joann looked and saw Keiko on the screen where Yusuke name was screamed. Keiko and Botan were being over run by zombies, who had ripped off the door of the room they had been hiding in.
"You are distracting!" he said, pointing at Joann.
"And during the best part! The door to the room and Yusuke's friend's destiny has been breached. They can but cower and tremble like kittens...Just like you will!" Suzaku laughed, pointing at Joann.
"Get her!"
Joann yelped before bringing her bat up. She hadn't noticed the other two, equaling out to four, Suzakus. They were heading straight towards her. She wiped the sweat and some green stuff from her face. She didn't know what to do. She wasn't ready for a boss battle! She shouldn't even BE in this boss battle!
However, this was what she wanted. She wanted to be here. She wanted to fight alongside her favorite anime characters. She looked over at Yusuke who stared back at her, wide eyed and worry all over his face. She didn't want him to worry about her. If she fucked this up, she wouldn't be able to go and save Yukina. Hell, she wouldn't be invited to the Dark Tournament!
She closed her eyes before reopening them. Determination replaced her fear. She planted her feet as she gripped the bat tighter.
"If you want me, then get me!" she growled.
One of the four came at her. Joann barely dodged the attack before swinging the bat down onto his back. A second came up from behind and grabbed her, pinning her hands to her side. Her bat dropped from her hand as she struggled. Before the clone could try and shock her, she stepped on his foot before elbowing him in his groin. He instantly let her go and fell to the floor.
Joann picked up her bat and barely dodged the first clone's attack. She hit him in his legs, causing him to fall on top of the second clone, who was still holding his balls. The last two rushed her at the same time. She yelped before swinging her bat again, making contact with one of the clone's side, and slamming him into the other. The two flew backwards, until they fell over the other two clones. All four were on the ground, groaning.
Joann stood there in shock. She had done it! She didn't know 'how' she did it but she did! She had survived! Yusuke had looked at her in just as much shock as the original Suzaku.
"What?! How can a girl like you beat four of my selves!" Suzaku growled, standing up from his seat.
Joann gave him a sideways grin and laugh.
"Guess I'm better than either of us thought?"
~In the Mirror~
Mr. Iwamoto and a few other zombies looked around a room. There were lockers and some desks. One of the lockers had a piece of material sticking out of it. Iwamoto laughed.
"Yukimura, I know where you're hiding. I see your scarf peeking from that locker!"
The zombified teacher walked up to the locker.
"Where oh where can you be?" he taunted.
He and the other crazed human's grabbed some brooms that were in a corner of the room.
"Students on a skewer. Mmmmm tasty dish, best served hot!" shouted Iwamoto.
The group began to hit the locker with the brooms, while others had knives. Those began to stab at the locker. Once they were done, the door to the locker opened. The scarf fluttered away, but instead of a bloody scene, the locker was empty.
As the group stood there stunned, Botan and Keiko came out from behind a curtain. They had brooms in their hands. They began to hit the zombies and were able to run away, dropping their brooms as they did.
~Back In Suzaku's Lair~
Suzaku had turned away from Joann and saw his 'prey' escape his minions.
"What?!" he growled, squeezing his wine glass.
After a few moments, the glass shattered in his hand. It's liquid covering his fist as if it was blood.
"I hate it when a plans unravels! Good for nothings they are!" growled the demon.
Yusuke had seen the entire thing and slowly began to chuckle before fully laughing. He was relieved that Keiko and Botan were safe. He had momentarily forgot Joann was in the room. Suzaku turned angry eyes from the mirror and towards Yusuke.
Suzaku raised his hand and began to send electric bolts towards the now screaming teen.
"No one laughs at me! Don't forget, I hold your life in my hands!" he growled.
"Leave him alone!" Joann growled before rushing the guy.
Suzaku stopped his torture for a moment before sending his electricity at her. Joann felt the wave hit her like a bus. She instantly dropped the bat and began to scream. It was painful and she could feel her body began to pulse from the electricity.
"NO!" shouted Yusuke, as his body began to glow a light blue color.
Suzaku continued to electrocute the foolish girl, glancing towards Yusuke.
'His energy is growing? It didn't when his 'girlfriend' had been in danger. Did Murg get his weakness wrong?' he thought as he watched the teen's energy grow more.
Joann's voice began to crack as she couldn't scream any more. She fell to her knees, not even sure how she wasn't dead yet.
"S-Shit..." she growled out as she felt the pain slowly taking over her.
Joann had a high tolerance for pain. She would take one 200mg Advil and be good for an entire day! Which according to her co-workers was insane, so she figured it had to be high tolerance for pain.
"You bastard!" growled Yusuke as he broke free from the two Suzaku's still holding him.
Yusuke's energy pushed the two Suzaku's away, flying backwards and landing hard on the ground.
Suzaku stopped his electrification of the girl. Joann let out a break of relief as she was on her hands and knees breathing heavily.
He turned towards Yusuke with wide eyes.
"No! How could you possible summon enough aura to blast two of me like that?!" Suzaku said shocked.
He could see the power but didn't think it was enough to do what the detective had done.
"Don't worry! There's plenty more!" growled Yusuke, his brown eyes filled with fire, as his body had that light blue surround his body.
"Very well! You've asked for another round of lighting shock wave!" growled Suzaku.
Joann shook her head, trying to keep herself from blacking out. She blinked as she saw all of the Suzaku's on their feet and standing next to the original demon.
They looked ready to do another major attack. Joann growled as she tried to stand. However, she collapsed to the ground. Her body still had sparks surrounding her body, lingering from the previous attack. She truly was surprised she hadn't been electricutied. But she wasn't going to look a gifted horse in the mouth.
"Yusuke!" she was able to say, struggling to get back onto her knees.
Yusuke's hands clenched at his side, as his body began to power up even more.
Keiko and Botan were still running on the mirror, still being chased by zombified classmates and teachers. Yusuke closed his eyes.
'I need to give it everything I got. I need to save Keiko. I need to save Botan. I need to protect Joann.' he thought.
Suzaku smirked, thinking the boy had given up. He began to charge up his final attack. However, he noticed something was off.
"Crap! I used too much power holding you and fighting that wench! I need to recharge~"
Yusuke smirked as his eyes snapped open.
"Too bad! I don't!" growled Yusuke, making a fist.
"Shotgun!" Yusuke shouted.
He shot his fist forward, towards all of the Suzaku's. It spread out and hit each one of the Suzaku's in the chest. Causing them to fly back onto their backs.
Murg gasp, flying over Suzaku's body.
"Master Suzaku!"
"I did it...surpassed...my body..." Yusuke gasped out before collapsing to his knees.
His body swayed before he feel to the floor. He was only out for a moment before he grunted at the pain in area's he didn't know existed. An image of Joann appeared in his mind. His eyes opened as he struggled to get back onto his hands and knees. He looked around and found a face down Joann.
The girl looked more than a mess. Her clothes were covered in dust, debris, and a mix of blood; green and red. It looked almost Christmas like. Yusuke grunted as he crawled over to the unmoving girl.
"Joann! Oii, Joann! Are you okay?!" he shouted as he collapsed next to the girl's body.
Joann stirred as she shift. Yusuke let out a relieved breath. She was at least alive.
"Yu-Yusuke?" Joann groaned as she struggled to her knees.
"Stay still." Yusuke whispered, putting his hand on her back, keeping her from moving.
She groaned at the touch, making Yusuke jump away. However, it caused him to yelp in pain himself. He fell backwards and the two groaned in unison.
"We...we are a pair, eh?" Joann chuckled through the pain.
Yusuke couldn't help but laugh himself.
"BOTAN!"
The two turned their heads towards the mirror.
Botan had blood running down her forehead. She looked to be unconscious in Keiko's lap, who cradled the blue haired girl to her. The zombified humans began to surround the two.
"So, you tried to out wit us? Clever, but not clever enough! There are a dozen of us waiting outside!" laughed Iwamoto.
Yusuke stared in awe and terror.
"That many...going after them?" Yusuke whispered.
Joann groaned as she looked around, seeing the whistle. Her hand reached towards its direction. However, it was too far.
"Yusuke..." she whispered.
Yusuke had gotten back to his knees and turned to look at Joann.
"The...the whistle..." she said, her hand still reaching towards the item.
Yusuke looked towards the direction the girl had been reaching. It seemed to shine.
"That's right! The whistle! Got to..." Yusuke began, starting to crawl towards the item.
He found it hard to move, still being in pain.
"Got to...Destroy it! Fast!"
Joann watched as he got closer to the item. She let out a relieved sigh before noticing something flying in the air. She turned and Suzaku standing up.
"Yusuke watch out!" Joann shouted, struggling to her own knees.
Yusuke was almost at the whistle, but at Joann's shout saw Suzaku's foot. He was able to roll away and was on his back. Suzaku growled, but looked just as battle worn as Yusuke. He was sweating and breathing heavily.
Joann began to crawl towards the whistle as Suzaku tried to step on Yusuke, who kept rolling away. He noticed Joann out of the corner of his eye. The two locked eyes and began to work together. Yusuke struggled to his knees, but found himself kicked backwards by the exhausted demon's foot. His foot rested on Yusuke's chest, keeping him there.
"Don't think this is over. You destroyed almost the entire cadre of Suzaku's...almost. It was a powerful strike, but your skill is defected! You missed one too many!" Suzaku said before slamming his foot into Yusuke chest.
Yusuke yelped, spitting up blood.
Joann held back her cry of fear and just focused on getting that whistle.
"Master Suzaku!"
Suzaku looked behind him and saw Joann almost at the whistle.
"Tsh, such an annoying wench." he growled, before raising his hand.
Joann saw the bird flying down. She growled before pushing herself off her knees, reaching towards the whistle.
Suzaku's left arm began to surround in a bluish glow. All of the Suzaku's bodies turned into blue smoke and went into the standing Suzaku.
Yusuke starred in both awe and terror.
"Hey! He's collecting aura from his dead selves! And his wounds are healing!" Yusuke said with wide eyes.
"And that's not all." Suzaku said with a smirk before sending a lighting bolt towards Joann.
Joann jumped on top of the whistle but her victory was short lived, as the lightning bolt hit it's mark. Joann screamed in pain as she curled up on top of the whistle. However, Suzaku didn't notice his attack was damaging the whistle.
Yusuke's eyes shone with anger, his body surrounded with the light blue light.
~Back With the Others~
"That's it for Suzaku's goons!" Hiei said.
Piles of humanoids were laid out around the three in the form of a circle. A big boom was heard from the tower and a great power was felt by all three. They looked up towards the top of the tower.
"It's gonna be a big one! And a big finish!" said Kurama.
"Someone will die this time. " Hiei said with a nod.
Kuwabara let the information sink in for a moment.
"What?! Carson-san might be up there!" Kuwabara growled before rushing into the tower.
His two teammates on his heels.
~Back In the Room~
Yusuke stood up, wind swirling around him, his body surrounded in light.
Suzaku stopped his attack on the girl, who let out a relieved sigh. He turned towards Yusuke with wide eyes.
"How can you still have energy?!" he shouted before snorting.
"No matter, you are too damaged to take another attack." he said about to make six more of himself.
~In the Mirror~
"This is it Yukimura." said a still possessed Iwamoto.
Keiko and Botan were on the ground, surrounded by the zombies who had bloody knives and hammers.
"Hold on Botan!" Keiko whispered before closing her eyes.
She clung to the unconscious blue haired girl.
~Back In the Room~
Joann shook her head, clearing it from the pain. She looked underneath her, seeing the cracked whistle. She looked over to Yusuke who seemed to be ready to finish off the boss. She looked over to her bat, which wasn't as far as she assumed. She began to crawl over to it.
However, Merg seemed to notice. She flew over to the girl and began to peck at her head.
"Ah! Get away!" Joann shouted, continuing to crawl, but swatting her hand at the bird.
Yusuke seemed to notice Joann, as did Suzaku. The demon noticed the whistle in Joann's hand and noticed where she was heading. He growled before stretching his hand towards the girl.
~In the Mirror~
Iwamoto was above Keiko and Botan. He raised a hammer above his head.
"Die!" he shouted as he was ready to bring down the weapon.
"Nooooooo! Yusuke! Heeelp!" screamed Keiko.
~Back In the Room~
At Keiko's scream and seeing Joann about to be blasted by another electric attack, his body pulsed. Suzaku stopped in summoning his attack. Fear spiked down his spine before he turned around.
"What?!" Suzaku shouted, fear and awe in his eyes.
Yusuke was standing tall. His entire body glowing a blue color. His eyes held a fierce look that made the demon feel fear for the first time in a long time.
"How can you be full of energy!? Is it his life force?! Is he really expending his very existence to continue the fight?" Suzaku asked.
"Darn tootin! You're going down, Suzaku, for messing with Keiko and for hurting Joann!" Yusuke growled before powering up his finger.
Suzaku looked terrified. However, he shook his head and began to power up both of his hands. He was ready to send electricity towards Joann.
Yusuke noticed that the demon was still focused on Joanna, who was about to grab the bat.
"Hey sparky!" Yusuke shouted, his finger continuing to glow with power.
Suzaku seemed to be irked at the comment and paused in his attack towards the defenseless girl. He slowly turned around, keeping his hands facing towards Joann.
"You-" he began to say.
He was stunned to find the raven haired teen's powered up finger right in his face.
Yusuke had murder in his brown eyes, yet a hint of victory.
"SPIRIT GUN!"
Suzaku released his attack just as Yusuke blasted the demon in the face; point blank.
Joanna was standing above the whistle, bat in hand. She had already sent the annoying bird, Merg, back towards her master.
~In the Stairway~
The three were running up the tower, a little more than hallway. The entire tower began to shake and a huge crash sounded from above them.
"Holy spit! Yusuke! Joann!" Kuwabara shouted, fear in his voice and eyes.
Both Kurama and Hiei looked at the boy. It was the first time they ever heard the boy call either of his friends by their first names. However, they couldn't think of that, not right now. They began to run faster up the stairs.
~Back In the Room~
Merg screamed as she got caught up in her master's attack towards Joann, who brought down the bat just as Suzaku's attack hit her.
Joann screamed as both her bat and the attack from Suzaku caused the whistle to shatter into a million pieces. Luckily for her, the attack was quick, considering Yusuke's spirit gun had hit it's mark point blank.
Joann was able to stand on her feet but felt her entire body was pulsing with electricity. She dropped the bat as she felt her body surging with electricity. She closed her eyes and tried to settle down her heart, which felt like it was beating a mile a minute. She didn't even realize that she collapsed to the ground, curled up and holding herself.
Yusuke had been blasted backwards from how strong and close his attack was towards Suzaku, who had been completely obliterated. There wasn't anything left of the demon; not even a clone. Yusuke looked up at the darkened sky, too tired to move.
"Did we do it?...destroyed the whistle?" Yusuke mumbled as he felt his energy slowly draining away.
'Keiko? Botan...? No good...can't see anymore...hope we made it in time...' Yusuke thought before his eyes closed.
He lay there, sprawled out onto his back; passed out.
It was here the three had reached the partly destroyed room. The mirror had shattered, the roof of the building was blown clean off, and the floor was missing in some places.
"Keeripes!" said a shocked Kurama.
Kuwabara looked around the rubble.
"Urameshi! Carson-san!" he shouted.
He noticed Yusuke body first. Hiei and Kurama seemed to see him as well before rushing to the fallen leader. Kuwabara was about to rush over when he saw Joann curled up on her side, holding herself. His eyes widened as he felt his heart stop for a moment.
"Joann..." he whispered before running towards her still body.
"Oii! Wake up!" Kuwabara shouted as he knelt next to her.
She didn't seem to move from her curled up spot.
"Come on! Carson-san!" he shouted, fear filling his body.
"Jo...Joann..."
Kuwabara's eyes widened before joy filled his body.
"Call-me...Joann." Joann said as she slowly uncurled herself.
"You gave me a heart attack! Are you okay?" he asked,
He watched as she slowly moved to sit up.
"I think I am..." she said, her voice sounding a bit softer then usual.
This took Kuwabara back a bit. She sounded so fragile and meek with how she talked. What didn't help was her appearance. She looked as if she went through a battle. Although, considering how destroyed the room was when he entered, it could be true. He couldn't tell how badly she was injuried either, because of the muck and blood that covered her and what was left of her clothing. Which looked to be mostly burned.
Joann coughed as she sat up, seeing a bit of blood come up into her hand. Her eyes widened a bit before quickly wiping at her mouth and hoping Kuwabara hadn't seen it. It seemed she was lucky as he seemed to be deep in thought.
"Why don't you check on Yusuke..." she said, trying to wipe off the blood somewhere that wouldn't look too concerning.
However, actually looking at herself, she found most of her outfit was not only destroyed but covered in both green and red blood. Green obviously from the plant creatures she had fought. But the red was obviously form her. She would need a shower when they got back to asset how badly she had been hurt.
Kuwabara snapped out of his thoughts before nodding at her. He stood up and reached for her hand. Joann blinked at it before taking it. He pulled her up so easily that she wasn't expecting the strength and almost fell backwards. Kuwabara seemed to have a good hold on her as he ended up pulling her to his chest. The two started to blush at their closeness.
"You should rest." he said after a moment of an awkward silence.
Joann would have protested but felt her body still feeling weak. She nodded before sitting back down. Kuwabara sighed in relief before heading over to Yusuke.
Kurama had been looking over the unconscious teen.
"He doesn't look good. His aura's exhausted, and there's barely a heart beat." Kurama said with a grimace.
Kuwabara knelt next to Yusuke, determination in his eyes.
"I'll give him an aura transfusion!"
"That's out! You've hardly recovered from your battle with Byakko!" Kurama said, concern in his voice.
"I'm not gonna stand here and watch him die! He needs energy! Your demonic aura's no good for humans! I'm the only option he's got!" Kuwabara said with tone that made the decision final.
Joann let out a sigh as Kuwabara's aura began to surround his hands, as he positioned himself above Yusuke.
"Here goes! C'mon, you bastard! Live!" Kuwabara growled as he began to give his best friend some of his energy.
Joann let out another sigh as she felt herself beginning to get her own energy back. Sure, she didn't spend anything but her body had been through hell and back. Not to mention, she still felt a bit of a tingling feeling through out her body. She contributed that to being from being electrocuted.
"Looks like we'll have to carry them both out of here." Kurama said with a sigh, but a small smile on his lips.
He watched as Kuwabara concentrated on Yusuke, ignoring what the two behind him were saying.
"Human. They're such a pain. I'll never understand why they make such sacrifices for each other." Hiei snorted.
"That quality enabled Yusuke to defeat Suzaku." Kurama said with a warm smile, looking down at his friend.
Hiei crossed his arms over his chest and snorted.
"Perhaps. But risking my life for someone else is not something you'll catch me doing." Hiei said, closing his eyes.
"Sure. But if Yusuke hadn't risked it, he'd be dead anyway." Kurama said, turning back to Kuwabara.
Hiei opened his eyes and looked at Kurama with an aggravated glare.
"Always have to have the last word, don't you fox?"
Joann couldn't help but shake her head with a smile at the converstation.
It was here Kuwabara's aura began to flicker before disappearing. Kuwabara's eyes rolled back into his head before collapsing on top of Yusuke.
"Ah, that's it. He's done." said Kurama.
"Tuhrrific..." grumbled Hiei.
(End of Chapter 8)