Chapter 23

Anti Hero

It had been two weeks since Rogato and Maya went back to Colorado. Riku had been on three more missions with the gang. Koenma had told them to be careful from now one. Reports of someone massacring hundreds of demons and humans in northern Japan had reached the child emperor.

Riku didn't really pay attention to what Koenma told them. He was busy thinking about other things. Should I tell Yukina how I fell? What if she doesn't fell the same way? Why am I talking to myself? He thought as he trained. Since Rogato's visit Riku had been debating whether he should tell Yukina how he fells. Half of him said tell her and the other half said to keep his mouth shut. "I can't concentrate" he said as he sheathed his sword. He walked back to the house.

When he entered. The sound of Yukina's humming and the smell of food filled his senses. He wind morphed and went into the kitchen. He drifted in front of Yukina. She couldn't see him cause he was now air and didn't notice the draft in front of her. Riku hovered in front of her. She's the most beautiful girl I've ever known. If I don't make my move soon, I might lose her. I'll tell her tonight he thought as he flew back to the living room. He went back to normal and walked into the kitchen.

"What's cooking?" he asked as he sat at the table. "The usual" Yukina said as she placed a plate in front of him. On it was a hamburger, fried chicken, and hot dogs. They were what he had for lunch every day. Riku quickly ate and left the room. "Oh by the way. The others are coming over tonight" Yukina said as she started to wash the dishes. Riku nodded and walked to his room.

Later that day

Riku was at Kurama's house. They planned to meet the guys at the arcade. "Are you ready yet?" Riku groaned as he waited for Kurama. The fox had spent the past thirty minutes fixing his hair. "Yes, I suppose" Kurama said as he walked into his room. "Good, let's get going" Riku said heading down the stairs. "I'll be back tonight mother" Kurama called before he closed the door.

They walked side by side on the sidewalk. "You seem nervous today" Kurama said. "Well I've made a big decision" Riku said looking down. "And what might that be?" Kurama asked. "I've decided to tell Yukina how I feel tonight" Riku replied. "I wish you luck my friend" Kurama said. "Thanks" Riku said back.

They soon found Yusuke, Kuwabara, and a not to happy Hiei at the arcade. "What with him?" Riku asked motioning to Hiei. "Tell him, and I'll rip your vocal cords out" Hiei growled. "On second thought, I've lost interest" Riku said nervously. They spent the afternoon hanging around parts of town.

Later that night

The guys arrived at Genkai's. The girls were waiting from them. "What took you?" Keiko asked. "Kuwabara got his head stuck in a pipe" Yusuke replied. "How did he do that?" Yukina asked. "He said he saw a cat walk into it" Riku said. Everyone sweatdropped. "Well the snacks are ready" Boton said as Kurama sat next to her. Kuwabara rushed to the kitchen. Yusuke sat next to Keiko. Hiei took his spot in the corner.

Yukina walked to him. "It's good to see you again Hiei-san" she said happily. "Hn" was his reply. "Uh, have you found my brother yet?" she asked a little sadly. "No luck" Hiei replied. He internally winced when he lied to her again. She mustn't know. How could she want me for a brother? Hiei thought. "Thank you Hiei" she said as she walked outside with tears brimming in her eyes.   

Riku watched as she left. I can't stand seeing her like this he thought as he followed her out. He found her standing on the porch and gazing at the moon and her hands were placed on the railing. Will I ever find my brother? If he only knew how much I want to met him. Maybe I should give up my search she thought as a tear gem hit the ground. "Yukina" Riku said from behind. She looked at him and forced a smile. "What is it Riku?" she said shakily. He walked to her and placed his hand on hers. "What's wrong?" he asked. She broke down crying into his chest. "My brother. I'll never see him" Yukina cried. Riku hugged her. "This isn't like you Yukina. I know you're stronger than this. Remember, I once told you not to lose hope" he said gently. She started to clam down. "Your right, I can't lose hope. I'm sure I'll find my brother one day" she said looking at him and smiling while whipping tears form her eyes.

"I just don't like seeing you sad" Riku said looking at her. "I'm glad you're here Riku. I don't know where I'd be without you" she said looking at him. "There's something I have to tell you. Yukina I…" Riku jerked his head up before he confessed his love. His nose had picked up an unfriendly scent.

"What is it?" Yukina said getting behind him. "I don't know, but someone's out there" Riku said looking around. The others rushed out. "Kuwabara said he sensed something" Yusuke said as he looked around with Keiko behind him. "Someone else is here" Hiei said readying his katana.

"Very observant" a voice said from the shadows. A figure appeared in the shadows of the trees. His features were hidden. "Who are you?" Kuwabara asked. "Shut up human" the figure replied. "What do you want?" Riku growled as Yukina clung to him. "You should calm down Riku" the figure replied. "How do you know my name?" Riku asked. "I know a lot more than just you name Riku. In fact, I know everything about you" the figure replied. "Come out and show yourself" Hiei demanded.

"Very well" the figure replied. He walked into the light and everyone gasped. In front of them stood someone who looked just like Riku. The only differences were this guy had a purple trench coat on and had deep purple eyes. "Who are you?" Riku asked. "I'm you Riku" he replied. "What do you mean your me?" Riku asked. "I am Muraku, your dark side" Muraku replied. Everyone gasped again. "There's no way. How could you be out?" Riku asked. "Remember that mirror at Shu Zang's palace? The one you called the creepiest mirror you've ever seen? That mirror has the power to bring out the dark side of anyone who looks into it. And you happened to look into it, thus I was born" Muraku replied.

"What do you want here?" Yusuke asked. "I want what every dark side wants, to become a separate being from my good half. Right now, I'm still a part of Riku. To become separate I need to do one thing. Kill him" he replied. The guys immediately got into fighting stances. Boton handed Riku his sword. "I only wish to fight Riku" Muraku said smirking. "If you fight one of us, you fight the rest" Yusuke growled. "I don't have time for this" Muraku said calmly. He flicked his wrist and all the guys except Riku were pinned to the wall by energy rings. "Now that there taken care of, we can begin without interruption" Muraku said coldly.

Riku charged him and swung his sword. Muraku caught it and yanked it out of his hand. He smirked and stabbed Riku's shoulder with it. Riku fell to the ground clutching his shoulder. "Stabbed by your own sword" Muraku said tossing the sword to the ground. Riku got to his feet. "Determined, aren't we" Muraku said calmly.

Riku charged again and let lose a barrage of punched and kicks. Muraku didn't even try to stop them or dodge. He stood calmly as Riku pounded away. Suddenly he punched Riku in the gut and sent him flying to the wall. Riku stumbled back up. My Crescent Claw attack will be useless against him. That leaves me with one choice he thought as he fisted his right hand. It started to glow. "SPIRIT WOLF CLAW" Riku charged Muraku with it. "That attack already? Well if you insist. DARK WOLF CLAW" Muraku's hand was engulfed in a black claw as he charged Riku as well. When the attacks collided, it was clear Riku was out matched. His attack gave way and he fell to the ground exhausted.

Muraku disappeared. Riku sensed his dark side behind him and turned to face him. As soon as he did, he was kicked in the face. He went flying back. Muraku let lose a barrage of his own punches and kicks. Each one hit Riku with deadly power. He finally stopped and Riku fell back. He could fell some of his bones were broken. How can he be so powerful? He thought as he struggled to his feet.

"This time, you won't get back up" Muraku said. He charged Riku with his right hand in a stabbing position. When he reached Riku, he impaled him with his claw. Riku cried in pain as Muraku's claw exited his back. He went limp and barely remained conscious.

Muraku leaned to his ear. "I expected a better show from you. What I saw was pathetic. I could finish you off right now. But I won't, I want more of a challenge. Tell you what. I'll give you three full days to improve your powers. On the forth day you will meet me at some temple ruins east of here at noon. Come alone. If you don't come, I'll kill each of your friends until you face me. And I'll start with Yukina" Muraku said before he jerked his claw back out. Riku fell to the ground. His body was limp. "See you in three days" Muraku said. He then wind morphed and disappeared.

The energy rings on the guys disappeared. Yukina was the first to reach Riku. "Riku, Riku, say something" she cried as she shook him. Everyone soon kneeled next to her. "We have to get him inside now, or he won't make it" Kurama said. He and Yusuke gently picked him up and carried him to his room. They set him on his bed. "Yukina work on his wound while we check to see if Muraku's still around" Kurama said as he went back outside followed by Yusuke, Kuwabara, and Hiei.

Yukina took of Riku's shirt and checked his wounds. He had six broken ribs, a broken arm, a stab wound on his left shoulder, and the place on his stomach where Muraku had impaled him. He was still unconscious. Yukina placed her hand over the wound and it started to glow. Soon, it had scared up but Riku had lost a dangerous amount of blood. She bandaged up his other stab wound and his broken bones. She checked his pulse only to find it dangerously weak. "Boton get some more blankets and Keiko get a wet rag" Yukina said urgently. The girls nodded and left to get the stuff. Keiko came back with the rag and Yukina placed it on Riku's forehead. Boton came back with more blankets and they bundled Riku in them.

"No sign of Muraku" Yusuke said as he and the others walked back inside. "How is he?" Kuwabara asked. "He's struggling to stay alive" Boton replied. "I think we should leave Yukina alone with him" Kurama said as they all headed for the living room.

Yukina brushed some hair from Riku's face. "Riku, please don't die. I love you" she cried as she kissed his forehead. Riku didn't move. Yukina spent the next few hours crying before falling asleep from exhaustion. The others had fallen asleep in the living room.

Outside the window of Riku's room, Muraku watched Yukina from a tree. Stupid koorime. He'll live but it will take him all day to completely heal. *chuckle* That means he really has only two days to train Muraku thought. "You'd better be there Riku or I'll kill Yukina and all your friends" he said before disappearing.

I'm so sorry I did that to him just when he was about to confess his love but I want a little drama before Riku tells Yukina. He'll tell her soon, I promise. This chapter shows just how evil Muraku really is. He'll do more things before his final battle with Riku. Next chapter, Riku's first day before the fight. Review please.