Chapter 11
Life is Beautiful
"The time of our great ambition is now upon us," Fubuki told them.
"In time the battle on this island will end, with blood and fire," added Sephiroth.
"When the jonin have fallen, the students shall follow suit, and after that, the world will die as well. All is as it was written in the Book of the Stone," finished Nuno.
Out of the portal came thousands of yoma, all ready to hunt down and exterminate everything in their way. Sora, Yumi, and Naraku ran, cutting their way through them, while also carrying the unconscious Kagura with them.
"The door to the other world. Looks like it's opening," she shuddered.
"Leave this to me and Sora. Naraku, take Kagura and get as far away from here as quickly as possible!" cried Yumi.
Nodding quickly, Naraku ran as fast as she could, while the two allies readied themselves for battle. Suddenly, she saw that all of her other friends had arrived, just in the nick of time, evne though Murakumo's mask fell off, but it was quickly returned to her by Terra.
"Thank you," she said kindly to them, and placed it back on.
"This is very much our final battle. It won't be easy," warned Red XIII.
"We can beat them. Together, we can truly prove we are stronger," added Tifa.
"Okay then. Let's get ready to do this. We'll show these yoma the real super power of FAMILY!" announced Sora, and a loud cheer erupted around him.
The battle was on, as everyone began shouting instructions to each other, despite knowing that this would be a difficult fight to win. However, despite Miyabi's stubborn belief, Asuka still managed to seal them away, but the mark on her chest was growing steadily larger, and her breathing heavy. This was only making her angry.
"Enough of the arguing, guys! We've still got a job to do! But, we must ensure they're weakened," Riku said firmly.
"We'll need to draw them into a single place, away from this town, or we'll endanger a lot of innocent people," added Sora.
Miyabi reluctantly agreed with him, and so Katsuragi explained her big master plan.
"Yes, what is it, Sora?" Reeve asked through his gummi phone.
"Reeve, we've got a lot of yoma, and it looks like some of them may have to be dealt with, regardless of the situation. Right now we gotta draw them away from this town before they get the people killed," Sora explained.
"I do have a suggestion. Lure them towards a construction sight. That way, they'll all come to you. Don't worry, the RGRO will most certainly ensure that no stragglers escape, so that Asuka's Fumakourin will have them ensnared in their trap," he replied.
"You got it, Boss man!" smirked Katsuragi.
"Hey, yoma! Come and get us! We're the best five course meal you've ever wanted!" she called to the creatures.
The yoma heard her, and they all began charging towards them at full force.
"That's it. A little closer now. Come on. Don't be hesitant," said Cloud.
Now was Asuka's chance, and she sealed them away in an instant with Fumakourin. Despite this, Asuka's breathing grew even heavier. She tried to assure them that she was alright, but Katsuragi saw that something was indeed wrong. She saw the marks on her chest.
"Is that a side effect of using the Fumakourin?" Ikaruga asked.
"Yes. When Asuka has used it for the final time, she will pay with her life. That is the price she will pay, just like Sora did when he abused the power of waking. And yet, no matter how many yoma she seals away, many more will keep coming, until this world will die by their claws," Sephiroth explained to them.
"Never, Sephiroth! I will not let Asuka die, as long as I live! Even after everything she's done, I won't let her sacrifice herself for some stupid belief of dying for what she beleves in!" barked Sora.
Asuka was surprised. She suddenly saw the fiery spark of her grandfather within her boyfriend, and began to accept that he hated losing people like her. Suddenly, Rasetsu ambushed them, while the One-Winged Angel vanished.
"Quite a cunning move, the way you took out all those yoma in one blow. I'm actually impressed," Fubuki said angrily.
"You!" Riku snapped.
"But the door to the other world remains open. You cannot stop the yoma's relentless assault," she added.
"Maybe not, but I promised that no one is going to die, no matter what you say. I don't care if you don't want Asuka to keep sealing them away, just like how you don't care if we try and stop your twisted desire of destroying all that you hate," Sora spoke bravely to his rival.
"Even until the end, your stubbornness will be your downfall," remarked Fubuki.
Rasetsu stalked towards them, and began batting them all aside one by one, until she was given the call of crushing the hands of Asuka, so that she could not use that technique again.
"Don't you dare hurt, Asuka!" called a voice from far away.
"Sailor Moon," Asuka said with relief.
"You have hurt my friends for the last time, and I will never ever forgive you! And the rest of my companions would definitely say the same thing to you as I did! We are the Warriors of Light who fight for love and for justice! And on behalf of the moon, we're punishing you, Fubuki!" Sailor Moon said firmly.
"Fine then. Rasetsu, wipe them out. All of them!" commanded Fubuki.
"As you wish, my lady," replied Rasetsu, and lunged at Sailor Moon.
"Thank goodness, she made it just in time," she sighed to her boyfriend.
"Yeah. Now, let's go and subdue her just long enough," replied Sora.
He turned to the other Warriors of Light.
"Listen up, everyone! We need to weaken Rasetsu just long enough so that we can have her sealed back in the yoma realm. The only we can do that is if we let Kagura and her companions close the portal, then ensure that Asuka works her magic once more, even though I despise seeing her die in front of me," he said to them.
"In that case, you can leave Fubuki to me!" called Yumi.
"Stay strong, Yumi. And no matter what happens, keep the Fire of Hope alive in your heart," Riku said to her.
"I am truly growing sick of this. This has already gone on for far too long," scoffed Fubuki.
"If anyone can beat you, it's definitely me," she remarked.
"Just who do you think you are!?" snapped her foster sister, and the two of them engaged in their deadly battle.
"No, Fubuki!" called Rasetsu.
"Sorry, big, tall and ugly, but you're stuck with us for a while," smirked Axel.
"My thoughts exactly!" agreed Miyabi.
"Remember the plan, you guys! We need to weaken Rasetsu! Give it everything you got!" cried Aqua.
Rasetsu unleashed a mighty roar, and soon the battle was on, despite the head of Hebijo's elite five staying true to her word. Meanwhile, Yumi and Fubuki clashed furiously with each other on a frozen lake.
"I despise everything about you! Your pride, your passion, even your spirit sickens me! With every passing moment, my hate only finds a way to run even deeper!" howled the hybrid.
Before meeting Yumi, Fubuki was running as fast as she could across the frozen wastelands around the scattered weapons and blood, while Rasetsu tried to follow her. Ahead she saw her mother, taking down many ninja that tried to fight her. Suddenly, she saw a man approaching her. This was her father.
"What's happening?" she asked worriedly as tears streamed from her eyes.
"To destroy yoma. That is the duty of a shinobi," he said to his wife.
"Right, and I understand that," replied Fubuki's mother.
Their daughter tried to beg them not to fight, but they still continued regardless. Fubuki's father even praised her mother for the way she fought as a true warrior, and she did too. Even still, Fubuki was now crying out tears of sorrow and agony, even as she watched, as she continued begging them to stop the conflict. Now both combatants were at their limit.
"I can seal you away, using the secret ninja art. I convinced the shinobi leaders to allow it. Performing this act means you can no longer live in this world, but they've assured me Fubuki will be safe," he said to her.
"I see. But if you use that technique, it means… that you'll have to die," Fubuki's mother replied sadly.
"I would much rather face death than kill you," said her father.
Fubuki quickly ran towards them as fast as her little legs would carry her, begging them not to leave her alone, even as she saw them embrace each other one last time. Then she saw the Fumakourin activate, and a golden light surrounded them.
"Fubuki, you will always be a part of this world. That's what's important. Live life with pride," her father said.
"I love you, Fubuki. My sweet girl," added her mother.
Then she was gone, and Fubuki watched her father fall to the ground, accepting his fate.
"They're really gone. What am I supposed to do?" the young Fubuki asked herself.
More ninjas appeared, but Rasetsu came to her rescue and carried her away, despite her injuries.
"At least I can save this child," she said.
A while later, Kurokage appeared, and found them lying on the soft snow.
"It's neither human, nor a beast. I wonder if this is what the jonin spoke of," he said.
Rasetsu demanded to know who he was. Kurokage explained that he was a renegade on the run, then looked upon Fubuki, learning that she was a hybrid between human and yoma, as well as a lost child. The yoma asked the elderly man to take care of her, so that she would be raised with happiness. Kurokage agreed with her request, and promised to make sure that she was protected. Finally, at peace, Rasetsu promised to return, after her injuries healed, then raced off into the distance. Despite this, and Fubuki's hatred of all shinobi, Kurokage still took pity on the young girl, sensing that they were indeed very similar.
The battle between siblings continued unabated, as Fubuki's rage continued to rise up, with every strike of her fan, which she treated like a sword. But as they fought, memories of their past played out in their minds again, but even still Yumi was hopeful that her foster sister would accept her hand, even as they fought. Finally, the enraged Fubuki lunged at her, causing Yumi to feel fear, even as she was knocked down. She still continued getting back up again and again, no matter how many times she was beaten, until Yumi spoke the very words to ehr.
"Big Sister!" she said.
Back at the construction sight, everyone was fighting Rasetsu with everything they had, but the yoma was stronger than they realized. This was making Asuka worried for them.
"That damn yoma's stubborn as hell, y'all! We gotta hit it harder!" cred Barret, firing his gun arm at it.
"I'm not done yet! I'm just getting started," Yumi said to Fubuki as they were nearing their limit.
"You're out of arrows, your sword is broken. Why would you continue to fight me?" demanded Fubuki.
"It's because I love… that boy with the Keyblade, Sora!" she remarked.
Fubuki's rage seemed to increase even further, as memories of Rasetsu thanking Kurokage played out in her mind, along with her, as well as saying goodbye to her, and being given the emblem of the sword and shield that Hanzo gave to him.
"My best friend gave this to me, a long time ago. It's a sword and shield. It represents the duality that exists in all things. Top and bottom, light and dark, justice and evil. As well as hatred and love. Do you understand? Hatred and forgiveness oppose each other in the exact same way. My hope is that you won't follow the same path as me. Keep that with you, and hold it tight whenever hatred starts to consume you. You must learn the value of forgiveness and love," he explained.
"Fubuki, I know you want to destroy all the shinobi, but what are you planning to do when there's no one left for you to kill?" Yumi asked worriedly.
"I'll do nothing, except start a family with Nuno," she remarked.
"But why even marry that man? What would he give you in return?" inquired the snow kunoichi.
"To see Jenova's justice through, and ensure that all things die," Fubuki said.
"That doesn't explain why you're letting me live," protested Yumi.
This was making Fubuki even more confused, even as she listened to her words.
"Don't bother listening to her words, Fubuki. Embrace Mother's justice," Sephiroth's voice said.
"Sephiroth's right, you fool," she seethed.
"You still have the hairpin that grandfather Kurokage gave you. Don't try to deny it. That means hatred hasn't consumed you yet, and you understand hate can't exist without love," Yumi continued to say.
"I've heard enough of your foolishness!" howled Fubuki, and her dark aura burst out into the sky.
"No matter what you do, or how long it might take, I will fight until you can accept the truth!" cried the snow kunoichi.
"Then I'll KILL YOU!" roared Fubuki, as she assumed her Yoma Trigger.
Then Yumi changed into her Ice Queen state, and the battle began with neither one holding back. But as they did, the hairpin fell into the snow.