Kyouka Ankoku Strenthing Darkness Chapter 21: Willpower, a yu yu hakusho fanfic

Kyouka Ankoku (Strenthing Darkness)
21 [Willpower]

The tigers circled the Reikai Tentais; their eyes never leaving them. The one Yusuke had shot glared at him with deadly eyes. Yusuke looked at Numata then up where Keiko was placed. He looked over his shoulder and that's when he noticed Botan just sitting there.

"Botan! Of course!" Yusuke thought to himself. "We've been so busy worring about Numata, that I forgot she was there!"

Yusuke looked up towards the floating platform Keiko was on.

"RIP THEM APART!" Numata shouted, the thunder booming behind her.

The tigers roared and charged towards the Reikai Tentais. The shot tiger lept at Yusuke, ready to kill him. Yusuke punched the tiger on the nose, sending it flying to the ground. Yusuke turned around and faced Botan.

"Make yourself useful, Botan! Get Keiko!" Yusuke shouted, as the others delt with their own tigers.

"But, Yusuke..." Botan answered, looking at him.

"Get Keiko and leave!" Yusuke shouted.

Botan stood there for awhile, not knowing what to do. She looked at the Reikai Tentais as they struggled with the tigers. She then glanced at Numata who was too caught up watching the fight. Botan took in a deep breath and formed her oar. In a flash, she took off into the air.

Hiei cut his tiger across the face with his sword. The tiger drew back rub its paw against its cut. As it did that, Hiei looked up to see Botan fly overhead. He knew what she was going to do so he faced Yusuke.

"Is it wise to send that nit-wit to rescue Keiko?" Hiei asked.

"I had no choice." Yusuke replied, kicking the tiger back. "Botan's better then no one."

"I hope you know what you're doing." Hiei answered, facing his tiger again.

Keiko looked down to see the Reiki Tentais having a hard time. She was concerned about all of them, but more worried about Yusuke. She had watched him try desperately to kill his tiger, but it kept coming at him.

"Yusuke..." Keiko thought a bit worried.

Something landed behind her, causing Keiko to turn around. Botan waved to her before quietly walking over to her. Keiko smiled happily as Botan began to untie her.

"Botan-Chan! Am I glad to see you here!" Keiko spoke happily.

"Yusuke sent me. He wants me to get you out of here." Botan answered, dropping the heavy chains to the ground.

Keiko was set free and took Botan's hand. The two of them headed towards the other side of the floating platfrom where they were to take off. Just as Botan and Keiko took off on her oar, Numata appeared before them. They stopped dead in their tracks as they faced her.

"Trying to leave?" Numata asked, Akujin's voice coming through. "And without saying good-bye? Such rude manners."

Botan growled as a sweat drop ran down the side of her face.

"For that, I'll have to kill the both of you." Numata answered, her nails extending.

"Numata, please! Don't do this!" Keiko spoke, looking at her. "This is not who you are! Don't let Akujin control you!"

"Foolish girl." Numata replied, Akujin's voice more dominant. "Numata is no longer in control. You're speaking to Akujin now. Numata will never come back. Only I exist."

Yusuke looked up when he heard Keiko scream. Numata had fired several sharp beams of ki energy at Botan and Keiko. They two of them were pushed back into the floating platform where they crashed.

"KEIKO!!" Yusuke shouted.

Keiko opened her eyes. She slowly began to sit up, scars and dirt all over her body. Numata landed on the floating platform, a deep scowl on her face. She picked up Botan's oar and snapped it in half. Botan and Keiko huddled together as Numata walked over to them.

"Seems your escape failed." Numata replied, her eyes glowing red. "Pity. Now the only question is, should I kill you quickly? Or slowly?"

"Numata..." Keiko spoke, looking up at her.

"How many times do I have to tell you!!" Numata shouted, Akujin's voice coming through again. "NUMATA is no longer existant! Only I, Akujin! I own this body!"

"I know Numata's in there somewhere!" Keiko shouted. "Numata is strong! She would never give in so easily!"

"Numata was never strong." Akujin replied. "She was always a weakling. I didn't kill her, only because I knew she would become of use to me."

Numata's nails became sharper and flashed.

"And now, I will kill you both." Numata answered, bringing her hand back.

Botan and Keiko shut their eyes, awaiting Numata to stab them. Yusuke punched his tiger back and looked up. His eyes widdened as he saw Numata about to stab Keiko.

"KEI--!!" Yusuke shouted but was cut off when the tiger lept at him again.

Something flashed inside of Numata's possesed eyes. Her hand suddenly froze a few inches away from Keiko's face. Keiko opened her eyes, looking at the frozen Numata. Something seemed to be happening to her.

"What...what's going on?!" Asked Akujin's confused voice. "Why can't I move?! What's happening??"

"Numata!" Keiko shouted, as Botan opened her eyes.

"You maybe my father, but this is still my body!" Numata spoke.

"Stupid child! Do you think you'll be able to last against me?? A Class S demon?!" Akujin shouted, his voice still coming through Numata's mouth.

Numata turned around and faced the edge of the floating platform. Akujin tried to stop, but couldn't. He looked down at the ground and his eyes widdened.

"Numata, you jump, and you'll kill us both!" Akujin shouted.

"I'm prepared to die, father." Numata answered. "Unlike you, I am not afraid of death."

"No!" Akujin shouted, looking down.

"There is no way out of this! We'll die together!" Numata shouted.

Keiko helped Botan to her feet. Just as the turned around, she saw Numata jump off the edge. Keiko panicked and towards the edge. She looked over the side to see Numata free falling to the ground.

"NUMATA!!" Keiko shouted.