Chapter 28

Darkness Before Dawn

"Let's begin" Muraku said getting into a fighting stance. My sword is the only trump card I have so I'd better save it till later Riku thought. He got in his own fighting stance. They stood staring each other down for a few minutes. Their stances could block any attack. The slightest change in the wind can make the difference.

When Riku felt the wind blow toward Muraku, he charged. They both let lose a flurry of punches and kicks. They either dodged or blocked each blow. Muraku landed a punch on Riku's face but Riku countered with a spin kick. They both stumbled back.

"Your defiantly more powerful Riku. Last time, that punch would have knocked you out" said Muraku. "Shut up and fight" Riku replied. "As you wish" Muraku said. He disappeared. Riku spun around a blocked a kick to his head. Muraku smirked and kicked Riku with his other foot. Riku went flying to the left but managed to recover and land on his feet.

He then disappeared. Muraku smirked and swung a punch to his right. It made contact with a transparent Riku. "After image" he said out loud. He turned around again only to have a foot make contact with his face. He was sent crashing into a wall. The wall crumbled around him.

Riku landed and stared at the ruble. The ruble was blasted away in an explosion of energy. Muraku walked out with a few rips in his purple trench coat and a little dirt on his face. "Impressive Riku. You're certainly faster. Let's see how you handle this" he said as he brought his hands together at his right side. A ball of energy started to form in between them. "TRIPLE IMPACT" he threw his hands forward and three beams of yellow energy shot out of them. Riku dodged the first two but the third wasn't so easy to dodge and he struggled to push it back. Behind him, the two other blasts turned around. When the first one hit, his guard went down so the one in front hit him, which was followed by the second one behind him. He stumbled forward and fell on all fours.

"Your sword helped guard you against the ones from behind. Tell me you learned something new" Muraku said with a bored look on his face. Riku stumbled back to his feet. "You ask for it" he said. His claws started to glow red. "That's your basic technique" Muraku said. "Keep thinking that" Riku replied. He brought his hand forward with his hand in the shape of a one-handed Kamehameha from DBZ. "CRESCENT STORM" instead of the usual one blade from each finger, five blades shot out of each claw for a total of twenty-five blades. Muraku's eyes widened as the attack bore down on him. He barely dodged them but they seemed to have a mind of their own. One hit him and instead of slicing him, it exploded. Muraku stumbled back. The other blades converged on him. The resulting series of explosions left a crater in the ground. Muraku stood in the middle with bruises on his body. He had a cut over his left eyebrow but instead of blood, a black mist rose out of it.

"I take it dark sides don't bleed?" Riku asked with a smirk on his face. "You actually hurt me. I have to admit, that was an impressive technique. Now let me show you my new technique" Muraku replied. He closed his eyes as a white aurora surrounded his body. Wind started to circle his body as he started to growl. With a scream, his body erupted in a gust of hurricane force wind. When the dust settled, Muraku stood where he was with a smirk on his face. His whole body was transparent.

He looked over at Riku and charged. Why would he go for a head-on assault? Thought Riku. He shrugged and went into a fighting stance as Muraku closed in. Riku threw a punch at Muraku but it went right through him. Muraku smirked and used a spinning heal kick on Riku's head. Riku went flying in a statue and turned it to ruble when he hit. He stumbled back up and looked at Muraku. His dark side was still transparent and smirking.

Riku disappeared. He reappeared behind Muraku. "CRESCENT CLAWS" his five blades went right through Muraku. Muraku turned around and punched Riku in the face. Riku fell to the ground on all fours. "What the fuck happened to you?" Riku asked as he stood back up. "This is my new technique. I call it Phantom Wind. It's basically an improvement of wind morphing. My body turns into air particles but I'm still solid enough for you to see me. The best part is, I can hit you but you can't hit me" Muraku replied smirking.

He then charged Riku. He let lose a barrage of punches. Riku managed to dodge them but when he blocked Muraku's fist went through his arm and hit his face. As Riku flew back, Muraku kicked him in the chest and sent him crashing to the ground on his back. Riku groaned as he struggled to get back up.

"How do you like it?" Muraku asked as he walked slowly to Riku. Riku was to badly beaten to move to much. Muraku stopped right in front of him. An evil smile appeared on his face as he prepared a punch. He slammed it into Riku's face causing him to stumble back. Muraku was taking his time. He next kicked Riku in the stomach. Riku doubled over and would have fallen forward if Muraku hadn't caught his face by placing a finger under his chin. Muraku's other fist was engulfed in a purple glow. "Have a nice trip" he said. He punched Riku's face. In an explosion of energy, Riku was sent flying into a wall. He hit and slid down it till he was sitting against it. There has to be a way to hit him Riku thought.

Muraku charged again. He prepared another punch. Riku managed to duck out of the way. Muraku's fist hit the wall and caused it to crack. Riku's eyes widened a little. That's it he thought as he disappeared. He reappeared behind Muraku. He fisted his hand and it was engulfed in red energy. He charged Muraku with the fist ready. Muraku turned around and saw Riku charged him. He smirked and crossed his arms in front of his chest. Riku threw the fist at Muraku. Just before it hit, he stopped his fist. Riku smirked as sparks surrounded his hand. Muraku's eyes widened as the energy on the fist exploded in front of him. The shockwaves sent him crashing into the wall.

He stumbled back up in his normal form. "How did you manage to do this to me?" he asked glaring at Riku. "You see, when I wind morph I'm not only invisible but punches, kicks, and spirit blasts can't hurt me. But the shockwaves of an explosion can send air particles flying in any direction. When I saw that you could hit walls I came up with a plan: create an explosion so powerful, you'll be sent hurtling into the wall. You know the rest" Riku replied smirking.

Muraku's face went calm. "Very resourceful, unfortunately I have another surprise for you" Muraku said smirking at he end. He cupped his right hand as energy gathered in it. "SPIRIT SWORD" a sword similar to Kuwabara's shot out of his hand. This one was purple instead of orange. "No offense to Kuwabara, but do you think that weak technique can hurt me?" Riku said. "But this one is much more powerful than that fool's sword. Let me demonstrate its most powerful attack" Muraku replied smirking.

He threw the sword into the air. "SWORD SHOWER" the sword turned into an orb and hundreds of smaller swords shot out of it. "Shit" Riku said as he did a back flip to avoid the shower. The attack started to follow him. Riku continued to do back flips in order to stay ahead. After a few more minutes of this, Muraku appeared in his path a punched his face. The swords then hit Riku. Muraku summoned his sword back and deactivated it.

Riku was badly beaten by the attack but he wasn't bleeding. "What do you think of the Spirit Sword now?" Muraku asked confidently. "I think Kuwabara has a lot to learn about his only weapon" Riku replied smirking. "Let's take it up a notch" Muraku said. "If you insist" Riku replied. He lifted his right hand to his sword hilt and unsheathed his sword. "I thought you'd have one to" Riku said smirking. "Who said I didn't?" Muraku replied. He extended his right hand to his side. Out of the temple shot a white blur. Muraku caught it. In his hand was a sheathed sword. He unsheathed it to reveal a katana with a six-inch handle and a five-foot long blade. That thing's almost as long as Yukina is tall Riku thought.

"This is the Luna Edge. It's the brother sword of the Crescent Edge. I found it up in Northern Japan" Muraku said smirking. He readied the sword. Riku followed suit. The disappeared. The sound of metal colliding filled the air. They reappeared and charged each other. Their swords collided and a pushing match started. The swords stated to glow. "Face it Riku, your sword was your only trump card and it turns out I have one to. And it is only one of two of my trumps cards" Muraku said. "Enough talk" Riku replied.

They jumped back and stared each other down. Muraku brought his sword over his head and charged. Riku blocked the blow but the resulting explosion sent him stumbling back. Muraku sliced his left shoulder then went for a stab. Riku dodged the thrust and stabbed Muraku on the back of his right shoulder. Both fighters jumped back and stared at each other.

Muraku charged again. He went for a side slash but Riku stopped it with his sword. Muraku smirked and kicked Riku in the stomach. Riku's defense went down and Muraku slashed Riku across the chest. Riku panted as blood seeped from his wound.

Muraku smirked and sheathed his sword. He then started to beat Riku with his sheathed sword. "If my sword was out, you'd be in pieces by now" Muraku said as he slammed the sword against the side of Riku's face. Riku could feel his strength giving way. He's toying with me he thought as Muraku continued the assault.

At Genkai's

The others watched the TV nervously as Muraku continued his assault. "Damit, the bastard's just toying with him" Yusuke growled. "Riku's starting to falter" Botan (Thanks for correcting me) said. "This battles intense" Kuwabara said. Yukina was on the verge of tears as she watched Riku get beaten by his dark side. Keiko saw this. "Don't worry Yukina, Riku will win in the end. Won't he Yusuke?" she said. "Uh, sure. Riku can take a bigger beating than this" he replied. Yukina forced a smile but knew they were just trying to give her false hope.

Hiei winced. He could feel his twin's sorrow. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small sack. He reached in it and pulled out a Crystal of the Invisible Fog. Riku had given it to him the day he returned.

Flashback

Riku walked over to Hiei while the others played cards. "Can I talk to you alone?" Riku asked. "Hn" replied Hiei but he followed Riku outside. "What is it wolf?" he asked impatiently. "You know as well as I do there's a bigger chance that Muraku will kill me tomorrow than there is one for me winning. If that happens, he'll come after the rest of you. I want you to take this. *he pulls out a small sack and hands it to Hiei* Inside are enough Crystals of the Invisible Fog for everyone and their families. If I lose, I want you to distribute these to everyone. Add a little spirit energy to them and Muraku won't be able to track you. I want all of you to run away. Head for Juno, Alaska, go to the east. About twenty-five miles from it you'll come across a mountain. At the base is a village. That is the village of the Blizzard Fang pack. Their pack leader is a distant relative of mine. Tell them Riku sent you and they'll protect you until someone from my pack comes. He'll lead you to my pack. Stay there. If Muraku comes, you should all be a match for him. Understand?" Riku said. Hiei nodded. "Good, now let's head back inside.

End Flashback

Hiei looked at the TV screen. Riku let out a scream of pain as he was slammed into a wall. I may have to do as he said.  

At the battle

Riku stumbled to his feet as Muraku stood in front of him laughing. "I can't believe you're so easy to beat. Looks like I'll be a separate being in not time" he said cockily. Riku growled and prepared his sword. "Still won't give up? I guess you'll never lose hope until you dead" Muraku said unsheathing his sword. He charged Riku.

The Luna Edge started to glow. Muraku thrust it forward. The sword extended forward directly at Riku. It impaled him and retracted back to its normal form. "What did it do to me?" Riku groaned. There wasn't even a mark where the sword hit. "The Luna Edge's main attack damages your soul, not your body" Muraku replied. He sheathed the sword and strapped it to his back. He then charged Riku and slashed his right shoulder with his claws. Riku cried in pain and let go of the Crescent Edge. Muraku then kicked his chest and sent him flying into a wall. Riku stumbled back to his feet.

"Still don't know when to quit" Muraku said mockingly. He brought his hands together. "TRIPLE IMPACT" all three blasts hit Riku. He still remained standing. "When will you fall?" Muraku said with frustration in his voice. He charged Riku. He first punched his stomach, then he kicked his face and finished by kicking his stomach. Riku managed to stumble back up. "Stay down!" Muraku nearly yelled. He charged Riku. He went for a kick to the head but Riku stopped it with his arm and punched Muraku's face. Muraku managed to land on his feet.    

"Remember when I told you my sword was one of two trump cards of mine? Well, it's time I used the second" Muraku said. He levitated off the ground and hovered ten feet of the ground. He stretched his right hand up as a white aurora surrounded his body. Wolf spirits started to gather in his hand. "The Spirit Wolf Claw" Riku whispered. Muraku started to laugh. "Wrong Riku, this is something far more powerful than that attack" he said as he prepared to thrust his hand forward. It was now a glowing, white claw. "SPIRIT WOLF CANNON" he thrust his hand forward. A huge beam of white energy shot from it and headed for Riku.

Riku watched helplessly as it approached him. He was to badly beaten to dodge. It hit him with deadly power. It flew upward sending Riku up to. He stopped about fifteen feet off the ground but the attack continued to fly around him. He could fell his life slipping away. I'm dieing. Muraku was just to much. Hopefully, the others will be okay he thought as he accepted. Death. 'Remember, you promised you'd come back alive' Yukina's voice echoed through his head. He opened his eyes. I can't die. I promised Yukina I'd survive. And I would never lie to her he thought as his determination returned. He felt a surge of power go through his body.

Muraku smirked as his attack engulfed Riku. "Farewell Riku, say high to Sirus for me" he said as he felt Riku's ki signature disappear. Suddenly, an explosion of red light canceled out his attack. He covered his eyes as a red glow brighter than the sun emitted from where Riku's body was. What's happening? He thought. The glow died down and he looked to where Riku was. Riku floated in midair. A red aurora surrounded his body. "Y-You should be dead" Muraku said in amazement. Riku looked at him with narrowed eyes. "You can't have everything your way" he sad calmly.

He threw his head back and let out a howl. His body erupted in power. A huge tornado of red energy surrounded Riku and hid him from view. Muraku struggled to not be blown back by the shockwaves sent out. The ground started to shake.

With the others

"It's an earthquake" Kuwabara said as he gripped his chair in fear. "Look over here" Kurama said from the window. Everyone ran over to it and looked out. They saw a huge tornado of red energy in the distance. The clouds were turning black and red lighting filled the sky. A mighty howl filled the air. "What's happening to Riku?" Botan asked as they turned their attention back to the TV.

At the battle

Muraku closed his eyes as Riku's howl echoed through the air. Where's this power coming from? He asked himself. He jumped to the side as a lighting bolt nearly hit him. More soon followed. The ground stopped shaking and the tornado died down. Muraku looked over at Riku and his eyes widened.

Floating in midair was a transformed Riku. His hair was out of its ponytail and pointed in various directions in spiky tufts. (Think when Mirai Trunks goes Super Saiyan with long hair) It was still black but now had blood red highlights. He had two black stripes on each check. His tail was longer, bushier, and covered in blood red fur. Attached to his back were two bat-like wings. His eyes were now blood red with white pupils. He looked at Muraku. "Now the real battle begins."

What has happened to Riku? Will he defeat Muraku? Next chapter, the battle between Riku and Muraku heats up and Riku reveals what has happened to him. Review please.