Leioji's Resolve

Four hours had passed since the fated battle between Leioji and Motoko. Motoko was recovering from hypoxia, fifteen broken bones, massive blood-loss and a minor concussion. Her condition was stable, although she was still in a coma. Leioji, however, was not so fortunate. The last shots that hit him stopped all bodily functions. His corpse lay in the hospital awaiting the morgue to rescue his body.

The doctors came outside and announced that Motoko's condition was stable, bringing forth an exasperated sigh from all, even Shinobu. Her eyes were shut, too swollen because of the sobs that had racked her fragile form only minutes ago. However, Motoko's recovering health was a relief to her.

It neared 2:00 am, and many of the Hinata House residents were tired. Kitsune, Su, and Shinobu left to go back to Hinata House. Aunt Haruka had decided to stay until another couple of hours so that she could report on any changes in Motoko's condition. Naru and Keitaro, however, refused to leave.

Although the threat was over, Motoko was still in a dangerous condition. Keitaro felt responsible for he believed he could have gotten the police faster. Naru felt, if possible, even more responsible because she should have watched Motoko more closely. But the death of Leioji was a relief to all except poor Shinobu.

In Shinobu's room, Shinobu cried silently. She felt damaged inside. Her brother, her only brother, a loving, caring, wonderful brother, had died. But all her friends could do was celebrate. She felt torn. She was relieved that Leioji was gone, but she just wanted to die. Her friends had lied to her. Keitaro, Motoko, all of them. They had used Shinobu to kill her brother. All Shinobu could do was cry.

"Good work, doctors. She'll be fine. All this girl needs is a couple of days of bed rest and time to heal." The remaining occupants of the Hinata House sat outside the emergency room, weary from lack of sleep. Naru was about to pass out when the doctors came out, tired but brilliant smiles on their faces.

"We are here to inform you that your friend is fine. We were able to pull her out of her coma, and now she's sleeping. All she needs now is about a year to recover and she'll be fine." Happy sobs swept through Haruka, Keitaro and Naru at this news. Haruka thanked the doctors and left. Keitaro and Naru wanted to stay until the morning, though, so they could see Motoko first.

One hour later

A figure stirred in the darkness. It shifted about, and stretched like a lion just waking. It worked out its neck, and slid off of its bed silently. It glanced at the bed. Blood soaked the bed, and a pan of bullets lay near where its head was just minutes ago. The figure felt about its body, making sure all open wounds were patched up. Many were, but the figure made sure all the cuts were bandaged properly.

It crept over to the door and slowly turned the knob. It felt cold and hard in the figure's sweaty hands. It pushed the door out carefully and exited the room. The figure then closed the door and took a glance at what room it had came from. "Deceased" was written in kanji on the window to the room.

At least I'm not dead, he thought to himself. However, I hurt all over. I must get that bitch for what she did to me. She will pay, he promised himself silently. Now time to find her. He crept into the shadows and vanished.

Keitaro woke to find Naru asleep on his shoulder; a warm coat drooped over the two of them. He smiled at Naru and edged his way off of the seat. He gently lay her down on the bench so that she wouldn't fall over. Dang, I need to use the bathroom. That and my throat is parched.

Keitaro wandered down the hallway to the bathroom. He entered the bathroom and sleepily relieved himself. Just as he left, he heard a muffled cry come from Narusegawa's direction. Oh no, now I'm going to get it.

"Naru, it's not my fault…" He stopped, staring at where Naru lay when he left. She was gone. The only thing left was the coat.

"Naru? Naru, where are you? NARU? NARU!" Panic boiled in him. She had disappeared.

"Someone! Help!" He ran down the hallways screaming until someone stepped out. Keitaro ran headlong into the doctor, sending her sprawling to the ground. She sat up, rubbing the back of her head.

"Watch it…"

"DOCTOR! YOU'VE GOT TO HELP ME!" Keitaro screamed.

"Calm down! What's wrong? Is anyone hurt?" The doctor was ready to help however needed.

"Worse. Someone has disappeared!" Keitaro could barely contain his fear as he spoke to the doctor.

"Very bad. Was the person injured in any way?"

"No, but I heard a scream when she disappeared." As Keitaro said this, the doctor took out a walkie-talkie. She pressed down a button and began talking in some code into it.

"Priority four distress! Non-patient loose in building. Fourth squad, find him."

"Actually doctor, it's a she," Keitaro corrected.

"Cancel that. Subject is a female. Repeat. Subject is a female."

"Got you. Situation is under control. Wait, what the, you gotta see this." The voice on the walkie-talkie sounded a little frightened.

"Where are you?" The doctor paced around nervously.

"I'm in Deceased room E. Hurry. This is way too weird," the voice trailed off.

"This way," the doctor said as she grabbed Keitaro's arm. She practically dragged him across the ground as she ran. Within thirty seconds they were outside Deceased room E.

"In here. Doctor, this is unbelievable." The voice came from on of the security guards. He was kneeling next to a bed on which someone's corpse had lain. Instead of a corpse, there lay bullets. They spelled out one simple word. 'Life'. The guard looked up at the doctor with pure fear in his eyes.

"Dear kami. Who was it?" the doctor inquired.

"It's the demon, Ejichima Maehara." When the guard said this, something in Keitaro's brain clicked.

"Please, no," he muttered under his breath as he ran towards Motoko's bed. He threw back the curtains revealing…