Chapter 82

Goodbye Muraku

Muraku narrowed his eyes as he watched Ace chuckle. "What's so funny?" Muraku asked. "Oh it's just that I've been waiting for this day ever since you had the audacity to slash me with that sword of yours" Ace replied. Muraku smirked at the memory.

"I'd wipe that smile off your face, you'll be dead soon" Ace said. "And how do you plan on killing me? Throw your cards at me and let your monster try to kill me" he said emphasizing try. Ace growled and pulled a card from his deck. "Hellephant I summon you!!!" he threw the card to the ground. A huge elephant-like beast covered in flames rose from the card. "And I use this Multiply card to make nine more" Ace said as he threw the card at the monster. Nine more hellephants appeared. "Attack!!!" Ace yelled. The hellephants let out a cry before charging.

The first one lowered its tusks to impale Muraku. Using his agility Muraku jumped over the animal's head and slashed the side of its belly on the way down. The hellephant spun around and hit Muraku back with the side of its head. Muraku saw another come from behind and reversed his grip on his sword. He spun out of the way of the other hellephant's tusks and slashed its right front leg's thigh. The animal let out a cry and the flames around its body intensified forcing Muraku back.

Muraku was thinking up a strategy when he saw a boulder heading straight for him. He lay flat on the ground so the boulder flew over him. The first hellephant raised its foot and Muraku rolled out of the way of being crushed. He saw another boulder and stepped to the side to avoid it. He looked to the source and saw three of the hellephants lifting boulders with their trunks to throw at him.

His thoughts were interrupted when he saw one points its trunk at him. A beam of fire shot out of the trunk. Muraku raised his sword and sliced the beam straight down the middle. He smirked but grunted when another swatted him aside with its trunk. It chased after him.

Muraku was thoroughly pissed at the animal and grabbed its trunks as it took a swing at him. With a smirk he sliced the thing right off.  He held on to the part still attached to the beast knowing what would happen next. As he predicted the beast threw its head back and let out a cry of pain. The force pulled Muraku into the air. He let go of the trunk and continued up. He raised his sword as he reached the apex. He fell back down and right when he was in front of the animal's face thrust his sword right into the hellephant's left eye.

He held on to his sword's handle as the beast threw its head from side to side trying to shake him off. With a yelled he plunged the sword deeper and twisted it. With one final cry the beast fell to the ground. As it fell Muraku pulled his sword out and flitted away just before another hellephant was about to reach him. The other beast slammed into the dead one and fell to the ground. Muraku heard a crack and knew he had broken the animal's leg. He flitted to its side. The beast couldn't even let out a cry before Muraku's blade tore through its throat.

"Two down eight to go" Muraku said as he somersaulted back to face the others. Three were on him and stomped at him. He hopped to the side to avoid their feet and slashed the left shoulder of one. He spun around in the air and slashed another across the forehead. The third wrapped its trunk around his waist and tossed him into a nearby rock face.

The one slashed across the forehead charged him as he staggered back up. As it approached him he ducked down low and slide underneath it. He stabbed it right in the belly. He didn't have to slash his sword since the hellephant continued running forward causing his blade to do more damage. He retracted it and watched as the beast fell dead to the ground. He had no time to celebrate as four sent fire beams at him. One singed his left arm but he ran forward toward the closest.

The hellephant swiped it trunk at him but he jumped over the trunk and slashed it right ear clean of. He continued forward ducking to the side to attack to beast's side. He first slashed its front right thigh then turned around after he passed the back left one. He thrust his blade into the back of the animal's thigh causing it to fall to its knees. Though Muraku quickly went on the defensive when the flames on its body intensified. He was forced to pull his blade out and stumble back. The hellephant ignored the pain in its legs and turned to Muraku ready to charge.

Muraku ran to him and lowered his sword slightly. The creature swung at him but he once again leaped over it and landed on its back. The hellephant did its best to throw Muraku back but he thrust its sword and severed the beast's spine. He pulled it out and jumped back. He had to dodge some more boulders tossed at him so he didn't see his latest victim draw its last breath.

He knew he had to stop the ones tossing boulders at him. He jumped to the side to avoid another set of tusks and flitted toward the three throwing at him. He chose the one that had just started to lift on as his next target. With lightning fast speed he slashed both of its eyes blinding it. The hellephant tossed its boulder blindly at him. He easily dodged it and watched as the boulder hit the one behind him square in the head killing it. The one on the blinded hellephant's other side wasn't happy with what it had done and thrust its tusks into the blinded one's side. The blinded one started to fall toward the stabbing one. Muraku first heard a snap as the stabbing one's tusk broke in half then a crunch as the weight of the blinded one crushed its skull.

He grunted in pain as another boulder slammed into him and against a nearby rock face. Muraku winced as he felt a few of his ribs break. He pushed the boulder back and looked at the remaining four. They were walking shoulder-to-shoulder making a virtual wall.

Muraku was caught by surprise when he felt a stinging pain on the back of his shoulder. He heard a shrill cry and looked up. A group of six harpies were circling high in the air above him. He could clearly see blood on the talons of the largest one. Ace must have summoned them while Muraku was busy.

He realized he couldn't win at this rate. He sent a glare at Ace before turning around and running away. "After him!!!" Ace yelled. The beasts picked up speed and chased after Muraku.

Muraku smirked when he heard the beasts' footsteps behind him. That's it keep following me he thought. He looked back and saw the hellephants right behind him and gaining fast. The harpies weren't far behind. He picked up speed and could hear the hellephants do the same.

He saw his destination up ahead, a cliff face overlooking the ocean. He stopped at the edge and looked at the hundred-foot drop to the ocean. He felt the ground shake and he turned to face the oncoming assault.  The hellephants were running at top speed toward him. The harpies were above them, the largest in the led.

With a smirk Muraku leapt into the air toward the led harpy. The hellephants couldn't stop in time a plummeted over the cliff and into the ocean. Muraku reached the harpy and grabbed it by the neck. As it struggled, he thrust his sword right between the harpy's eyes. The sword exited out the other side of the head. The harpy was soon plummeting to the ground. Muraku pulled back and flipped before gracefully landing on his feet. The harpy crashed into the ground a few feet away. Muraku heard an ear splitting screech and looked up to find the remaining harpies flying toward him talons ready.

"They certainly are eager to die" Muraku said confidently. He crouched low before leaping toward them. He let out a yell loud enough for Ace to hear but cleverly disguised it as a yell of pain.

Ace heard it and chuckled again. "Seems they caught up to him. I almost fell sorry for the guy, almost" Ace said. He started running toward the scène expecting to find Muraku lying face down on the ground. He'd ordered his creatures not to kill him since he had a special card ready.

He wasn't expecting to find the sliced up bodies of his harpies on the ground. Muraku was perched on a branch and was casually cleaning the blood of his sword with a handkerchief. "Took you long enough" he said not looking at Ace. Ace came out of his shock and growled. "Curse you" he said. Muraku looked at him with an evil glint in his eyes. No matter how good he would ever be Muraku would always have that glint.  

"Come down here Muraku, let's finish this" Ace said. Muraku looked at him curiously. Is he serious? He thought. Ace stood in place looking up at Muraku. "Very well" Muraku said before leaping off the branch toward Ace. He started swinging at the card master but Ace surprisingly dodged each swing.

Muraku was about to thrust at him when Ace pulled a glowing card from his suit. He threw it at Muraku. Muraku had no time to dodge and the card hit him. It disappeared when it hit and his body was soon surrounded by a faint white glow. The breath caught in his throat and he fell to his knees dropping his sword so he could clutch his neck. He fell to his side and glared up at Ace who had both arms crossed over his chest.

Muraku was surprised when the pain in his body subsided and he could breath again. Not taking his eyes off Ace he grabbed his sword and stood up. Ace was clearly shocked since he took a step back. "But, how?" he said. "What did you do to me?" Muraku asked grabbing Ace by the collar and lifting him into the air. "Tell me" he growled.

"That card I used is the Soul Lock magic card. It's supposed to lock away your soul. You should be staring off into space not attacking me" Ace said. "You what?!" Muraku roared. "I locked away your soul" Ace repeated. Muraku felt a familiar felling in him and let Ace go. "You fool" he mumbled. "What?" Ace asked. "That won't work on me because I was originally Riku's dark side!!!" Muraku yelled. Ace gasped. "Dark side?" he said. Muraku growled and nodded. Ace threw a small pouch to the ground and disappeared in a puff of smoke.

Muraku didn't bother to try and chase him. He had bigger problems. If his soul was locked away the old him could come back. He could already fell the evil in him that had lay dormant since his revival start to gain strength. He closed his eyes and winced as he saw images of him viciously killing the others.

"I have to get away from them" he mumbled. He was about to take off when he remembered Kairi and the twins. They would no doubt want to know what he was about to do. He realized he would have to see them one last time before leaving. With a heavy sigh he headed back to the hotel.

At the hotel

Nami was sitting on the couch of the hotel rooms living area watching the Freddy Vs. Jason movie with Hiei seated right next to her. Yukina, Crystal, and Lila were playing with Sakura. Riku, Damien, Rogato, and Kage were discussing stuff in the kitchen. Yusuke, Kurama, Kuwabara, Shizuru, and Botan were playing poker and Botan was surprisingly winning. Maya was sitting on the balcony thinking about Murakai. The twins were watching Kairi sleep. She still hadn't woken up. Black Fang was seated next to them on the floor watching Kairi as intently as the twins.

Kage looked over to the balcony. "Excuse me for a minute" he said standing up. The other three watched him go before continuing their conversation.

Maya was leaning against the railing gazing out at the sea. Murakai she thought as a tear rolled down her cheek. "Hey Maya" Kage said as he walked out. She turned around and saw him standing in front of her. "Hey Kage" she said forcing a smile. "Mind if I join you?" Kage asked. "No, not at all" Maya said. Kage smiled and leaned on the railing next to her. They stood in silence for a few minutes.

"So how're you holding out?" he asked. "Fine thank you" Maya said though Kage knew she was lying. "I know I maybe shouldn't tell you this but I met Murakai" Kage said. Maya's eyes widened. "You did? Where?" she asked. "In other world" Kage replied. "How's he doing?" she asked. "Just fine, for a dead guy" Kage replied. He thought back to that day.

Flashback

Kage shot another target to pieces with his Ingrams. He ran forward shooting out to the sides blasting a few more. He stood panting in the middle of the training room.

"Haven't lost your touch" a familiar voice said making Kage turn quickly to the source. "Murakai?!" he said. "The one and only" Murakai replied. "What are you doing here?" Kage asked. "I'm dead stupid" Murakai said pointing to the hallo above his head. "What happened?" Kage asked. "Someone ambushed me" Murakai replied.

"Well, um, I'm sorry" Kage said. "Don't be, I'm not really worried what will happen to me" Murakai replied. His eyes seemed to go unfocused. "Murakai?" Kage said. Murakai snapped out of his trance. "What?" Murakai asked. "What are you worried about?" Kage asked back. Murakai looked down at the ground and mumbled something. "What?" Kage said. "Maya" Murakai replied.

Kage's eyes widened in realization. "You mean you and her…" he trailed off. Murakai nodded. "Oh boy" Kage said knowing how sad she must be. "I didn't come here just to say hello" Murakai said. "What is it bud?" Kage asked.

"I heard you were going back to the living world" Murakai replied. Kage nodded. "I want you to take care of her" Murakai said. Kage's eyes widened. "Did I hear you right?" he asked. "I said I want you to take care of her. You've got a second chance at life and I can't stand to see her so sad" Murakai replied. "So you want me to, you know" Kage said. "That might happen but all I want you to do is be there for her. Act as a shoulder she can cry. And if you two do get really close" Murakai started but Kage cut him off. "No way man, she's your girl" Kage said. "I'm dead Kage!!! I can't be with her anymore!!!" Murakai yelled.

"Okay, okay calm down" Kage said. Murakai panted and calmed down. "Why me anyway?" Kage asked. "You do know she had a crush on you?" Murakai said. "Really?" Kage asked. "Yep, ever since she got her first kiss from you" Murakai replied. "It was under the mistletoe and she was fourteen" Kage said. "Your point?" Murakai said. Kage sighed. "Alright buddy, you win. I'll take care of her for ya" Kage said. "Thanks Kage" Murakai said. "Now don't get all mushy on me" Kage said slapping him on the back. "We've got some catching up to do and there are plenty of ferry girls around her" Kage said. Murakai shook his head and they walked out.

End Flashback

"Kage, Kage" Maya said. Kage looked at her. "Yeah?" he asked. "You okay, you seemed zoned out" Maya said. "Just thinking about stuff" Kage replied. Maya nodded her head and looked back at the ocean. "Want to talk about it?" Kage asked. Maya didn't reply. "Maya?" Kage said. He grunted as she buried her head in his chest. "I miss him so much" she cried. Kage sighed and gently patted her back. "I'm sorry Maya. He was my best friend. I know how you feel" Kage said. He allowed Maya to continue crying on his chest. She finally ran out of tears and just stood against him  "Thanks Kage" she said.  "Any time" Kage replied.

"WHERE IS HE!!!" a voice screamed causing both to jump. "Looks like Kairi woke up" Maya said. "Let's go" Kage said leading Maya back in.

They found Kairi with a very angry look on her face. Everyone else was hiding except Nami. Yugi was hiding behind her right leg and Mimiru was behind her brother. "Kairi calm down" Nami said. "Where is he!!!" Kairi yelled. "Who?" Nami asked. "Muraku!!!" Kairi replied.

"What happened?" Nami asked. "That egotistical jerk kissed me!!!" Kairi yelled. "Go Kairi" Nami said. "It wasn't at all romantic. Muraku was doing it just to shut me up. It was an evil kiss you hear me, evil!!!" she yelled. The twins whimpered slightly. Kairi was scary when she was angry, even scarier than Botan on a bat rampage. Down

"Kairi calm down" Yukina said as she, Crystal, and Keiko walked toward her. "I'm gonna down him till my voice box breaks!!!" Kairi yelled. "I think she's about half way there" Kurama whispered to Riku and Hiei. 

At that moment the door opened and in walked Muraku. I think we know what's about to happen, poor Muraku. " Muraku!!! DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN *pant*, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOW…mmph" Kairi said as Nami clamped her hand over the angry priestess's mouth. The others looked through the hole in the ground and saw Muraku had gone through four stories before Nami stopped Kairi.

"A little help here" Nami said as Kairi started to fight her off. The others joined in and managed to pin Kairi to the bed.

The door opened again and Muraku walked back in being careful to avoid the hole in the floor in the shape of his body. He seemed unaffected by the downs. He merely sat on a chair looking at the floor. Riku could sense something was wrong.

Kairi kept struggling until she noticed the wounds Muraku had received. And they weren't from her subduing spell. She relaxed and Nami and Shizuru let her go. "Muraku" Kairi said rushing to his side. She examined the slashes on his shoulder. "Are you okay?" she asked. "Considering I just went crashing through four stories of a hotel, just fine thank you" Muraku replied. Kairi blushed. "Sorry about that, I sometimes let my temper take complete control" Kairi said. Muraku snorted.

"What's wrong Muraku?" Riku asked seriously. Muraku looked up to him. "Nothing escapes you does it?" he asked. Riku's gaze became more serious. "I ran into Ace" Muraku replied. "What happened?" Kurama asked. "We fought and I forced him to retreat" Muraku replied. "Way to go" Kuwabara said. "But" Muraku said causing everyone to look at him. "He used a magic card on me" he said.

"What kind of magic card?" Hiei asked. "A Soul Lock card" Muraku replied. Everyone's eyes widened. "You mean…" Riku said. "I'm turning back into my old self" Muraku replied. The room went deafly silent. Everyone was frozen in place as Muraku's words echoed through their minds. "I'll be taking my leave" Muraku said standing up and walking out the door. Kairi and the twins came out of their shock and chased after him.

"Muraku wait" Kairi said as the three caught up with him outside. "I don't have time Kairi" Muraku replied. "Please don't leave us, I'm sure there's something we can do" Kairi said. Muraku stopped making the twins grab his legs. "Please don't go papa" Yugi said. Muraku looked down at the twins. "I'm sorry" he said. He pried the twins off and started walking off. Kairi noticed Black Fang behind her. "You two stay here" she said before following Muraku.

She found him standing at the edge of a cliff. "Muraku don't do it" Kairi said grabbing his arm. "I'm not going to commit suicide if that's what you were thinking" Muraku replied. Kairi sighed in relief and let go allowing Muraku to turn to her. "What are you going to do?" Kairi asked. "I'm going as far away as I can. The farther I am from you and the others, the safer you'll be" he replied.

"You can't" Kairi said. "I don't have a choice, I have to leave soon and fast" Muraku replied. "But you still can't leave" Kairi said. "Why Kairi, so I can kill you all when I go evil again?! Give me one good reason why I should stay!!!" Muraku yelled. Kairi was in tears by now. "Because, because…" she said but she couldn't find the words. "Why Kairi?!" Muraku said.

"I love you" she said quietly though Muraku heard it. He froze in place. "What?" he said. Kairi took a few minutes to gather her courage. "I love you, Muraku" she said. Muraku was so shocked he didn't notice Kairi throw her arms around his waist. He finally realized something warm was against him and looked down at the crying priestess. He slowly wrapped his arms around her shoulders.

"I'm sorry Kairi" he said. She continued to cry against him. He looked at her. He only just realized how much she meant to him. She had been the cause of his change, making him an honorable warrior instead of the bloodthirsty monster he used to be. He cringed when he felt that evil, like a surge of electricity. He then realized two small objects were wrapped around his legs. He looked past Kairi sand saw the twins clutching his legs.

"Don't leave us papa" Mimiru said. He let go of Kairi and bent down to come face to face with the twins. He let Mimiru hug him around the neck. Of all those he'd met on his journey she was the most innocent and pure creature he knew. When his evil side will take over he may be able to kill everyone and have a hard time killing Kairi but he could never harm a hair on Mimiru, no matter how evil he became. Mimiru finally let go and he turned to Yugi. "You're the man of the family now" Muraku said. He could tell Yugi was holding back his tears. "I'm counting on you" Muraku said as he ruffled the kitten's hair. He then stood up and looked at Kairi.

She gently grabbed his wrist and took the subduing bracelet off. "Kairi?" Muraku said. Kairi smiled at him. "You deserve to be free Muraku" she said. "But, if I find you while I'm evil then you can't stop me" Muraku said. "I know you'll never harm me" she said. Muraku smirked. 

"Someday, I will return and not to kill any of you" he said. Kairi threw her arms around his neck and pulled him into a kiss. He soon returned it and wrapped his arms around her waist. It felt like time stopped for the two as they finally expressed their feeling to each other. They finally broke and Kairi rested her head on his chest. She closed her eyes enjoying him being so close to her. "Goodbye" Muraku said. She felt a gust of wind in front of her and opened her eyes. Muraku was gone.

She sighed and knelt down allowing the twins to huddle against her. "Will we ever see papa again" Mimiru asked. Kairi didn't reply not knowing what to say. Then a line from her favorite movie popped into her head. "What does your heart tell you (Straight from LOTR)?" she asked. "Yes, he will come back" Mimiru said flashing a smile. Kairi looked down at the two kittens she'd known for two years. They were now eight but still as sweet as the day she meet them.

Black Fang watched from the side. His ears perked up as Muraku opened a link. 'Take care of them Black Fang. You're the only part of me they have left' he said. Black Fang snorted a yes to his master.

Kairi looked at the sun as it set on the horizon. I don't care what happens or how long it will take, I'll wait for you Muraku she thought.

Many miles away Muraku had already reached land. He heard Kairi's thoughts and smirked. It quickly went away though as an ominous feeling overcame him. "I only have a few days, better get going" he said. He looked back in the direction of the island. When we met in battle Riku should I prove to evil, you have my permission to kill me. Just take care of them he thought. With one last sigh he turned and walked to the east.

Somewhere on the island

Ace kicked a stone angrily. "He was a dark side!!!" he yelled as he kicked another. "I wasted my best car!!!" he yelled.

"Not entirely" a voice said causing Ace to freeze in place. He slowly turned around and gasped. Standing on the top of a ledge about twenty feet away was the mystery warrior. His white hair blew in the wind, as did his black angel wings as his armor-covered hand gripped the handle of his massive sword.

"Sh-Shion" Ace whispered. The warrior identified as Shion smirked. "We met again" he said. "What are you doing here traitor" Ace said. Shion's smirk grew. "I'm here on business" he replied. "The king will never forgive you" Ace said. "Who said I want forgiveness? I serve another now" Shion replied. Ace gripped his cards.

"You've done well Ace" Shion said. "What do you mean?" Ace asked. "You used the card on Muraku just as I hoped you would" Shion said. "What do you mean hoped?" Ace asked. "That is of no concern to you. Since you won't live long enough to use the information" Shion replied.

Ace took a step back. "Your part in the play is over Ace" Shion said as he lifted his sword and laid it across his shoulders. "Come and get me" Ace said as he prepared a monster card. With lightning fast speed Shion was soon on the others side of Ace his sword slamming on the ground. He looked back and watched the two halves of Ace fall to the ground. ""Just like the wolf" Shion said as he stood up.     

He heard clapping and looked to the said. The woman who was with him walked out of the shadows. "Well done" she said as she blasted the cards that lay on the ground to ashes. "Why thank you Cassandra" Shion said bowing slightly.

"You two have done well" a third voce said. The two looked to the side and saw two other figures heading for them. One wore a red cloak with a hood over his head concealing everything on his face except his mouth and chin.

The other was much scarier. He was clad in black armor and wore a cape with a hood completely concealing his face. Two curved horns stuck out of his forehead. He held a ten-foot long pole with a five-foot long scythe attached to it. He rode a black Pegasus with red eyes. "The master is pleased" the knight said with a soulless, empty voice. "Then let's return. All we need do now, is wait" Cassandra said. "Yes let's" the knight said. Soon only Shion was left.

He looked at the moon high in the sky. "The stage has been set" he said as he spread his wings. He took to the air and hovered fifty feet over the ground. The eye on his sword opened and glowed a pale blue light. "Come my pets, we must be on our way" he said as his body was covered by ravens. The ravens dispersed and he was gone.

That was so sad *wipes tear from eye*. Sorry, but if you want a sequel then Muraku has to go evil. The mystery warrior has been revealed as the Shion the member of the Apocalypse Ten who disappeared after the war. And it seems there really is another force at work. Who you ask? I can tell you now; everything will be answered in the sequel. But this fic isn't over yet. We still have many more battles. Like Shion said I'm setting the stage.

Next chapter, Riku must cope with Muraku's leave as he goes into battle against Kage for the tournament championship. Review please.