---- Chapter 26: Piercing Howl of the Demon Fox - Youko Kurama Strikes ----
Youko smirked slightly, commenting, "Your power's up to about 200,000.... Not bad. Quite an improvement, I must admit." Saying nothing, Shinrai merely stepped forward and released his aura, completely incinerating each and every plant on the rooftop. With a chuckle, Youko mused, "As a demi-human, your power is truly remarkable.... I'd never have imagined I'd face the progeny of such powerful demons in my lifetime. Ready, Shinrai?"
".... As ready as ever, Youko."
"Very well. Then allow me to take the initiative...."
Pulling a rose from his hair, the demon fox transformed it into the Rose Whip. But, instead of attacking Shinrai, he flared up his aura (a silvery white aura, of course) and began to wrap the Whip around his arm. Repeating the process with two more roses, his arm was soon covered with the sharp thorns of the Rose Whip. This, was the Rose Glove. Springing forward, Kurama was instantaneously in Shinrai's face, swinging his fist downward into.... nothing but the air. Shinrai stood behind him, his sword drawn.
"I expected better of the famous Youko Kurama.... Trying to sow the seed of the Death Plant?"
Ripping a small seed from his armor, Shinrai threw it to the ground. A small hole could be seen in his armor, where blood slowly trickled out. With a mighty cry, Shinrai's armor spasmed as it filled in the hole and restored itself.
".... I won't be beaten by such petty tricks now that I've transformed."
Still smirking, Youko replied, "My sincere apologies. I never meant to bore you. Perhaps my next attack will.... excite you more."
Blowing apart his Rose Glove, Kurama reached into his hair and pulled out a small, brown seed. He held it up to Shinrai, showing him that it was inscribed with the symbol for 'Cannon.'
"Allow me to introduce my deathblow technique.... an attack that draws forth the very core of nature's power into a single, powerful blast. This.... is the Rose Buster."
The seed blossomed, transforming into what seemed to be a large cannon wrapped up in roses. Gripping the weapon tightly, Kurama's aura flared up, tripling in size before siphoning into the cannon.
"I've only used this once.... so forgive me if I'm not particularly skilled with it."
Shinrai stared in amazement at the power of the Rose Buster, before hearing a cry of, "Rose Buster - Fire!!!" Narrowly dodging the wide blast, Shinrai watched in shock as the beam cut through a nearby apartment building and split it in two, bracing himself as the towering building crashed to the ground. Kurama shouldered the cannon.
"Have enough? I don't want to have to kill you, Shinrai. Just give up.... you can never hope to face Yusuke if I can outdo you so easily."
A devilish grin crossed Shinrai's face, as he glared over at Kurama.
"Who said you've outdone me?"
Raising one hand, Shinrai began charging up a Rei Gun, and shot it into the air. The beam cut through the clouds and actually CUT THROUGH the full moon, destroying half of it. As Kurama stared in horror, Shinrai made a series of strange movements and thrust his arms into the air.
"Reikou Shou-ryuu - Lunar Revival!!!"
The moon flashed, as it returned slowly to its normal full position. Kurama was now completely in shock, almost dropping his Rose Buster. Shinrai turned to face him, still grinning wickedly.
"What's the matter? You had to have known that I fluctuate my power based on the opponent.... that your best could only scratch me if it hit head-on. Give up, and surrender your artifact."
With shaking hands, Kurama lifted his Rose Buster onto his shoulder, and began to charge up.
"I never give up.... You'll have to make me if you want my artifact!"
Police sirens could be heard in the background; someone had called them due to the vicious sounds of battle on the rooftop. But that was of no consequence to the two warriors. As Kurama finished charging his Rose Buster, he called out....
"Rose Buster - Final Attack! Crimson Wave!!!"
A huge blast of red energy shot forward, and as it struck Shinrai, it seemed the battle was over. Except for one tiny little fact - Shinrai was holding back the blast with ONE FINGER. Kurama gasped in shock and horror at Shinrai's power, as the transformed warrior grinned and said, "Game over, Kurama." And at that, he pushed the attack back, still using only one finger, and shot it past Kurama and into the distance.
Shaking, Kurama flashed white and transformed back into Shuichi Minamino.
"Y-You've won.... I admit defeat."
Sheathing his sword, Shinrai flashed and transformed back to normal. After a short pause, he walked towards Kurama and extended his hand.
"The artifact, please...."
Kurama rustled around in his clothes for a moment, and brought out a small wooden box. After handing it to Shinrai, he explained, "This box contains the shards of the Mirror of Darkness. Six more artifacts, and you'll be able to face Yusuke. Best of luck."
Shinrai turned, and replied, "Thanks. Now, best to get back to Botan-chan before she gets worried. Give her my apologies for barging in like that." With that, he leapt off the rooftop, jumping from building to building.
Under his breath, Kurama murmured, "He may be the one...."
=== Makai - Magyofuu Swamp ===
Shouldering his blade, Hiei looked past the horizon.
".... What power.... Well, I'll be sure to put the boy in his place."
Youko smirked slightly, commenting, "Your power's up to about 200,000.... Not bad. Quite an improvement, I must admit." Saying nothing, Shinrai merely stepped forward and released his aura, completely incinerating each and every plant on the rooftop. With a chuckle, Youko mused, "As a demi-human, your power is truly remarkable.... I'd never have imagined I'd face the progeny of such powerful demons in my lifetime. Ready, Shinrai?"
".... As ready as ever, Youko."
"Very well. Then allow me to take the initiative...."
Pulling a rose from his hair, the demon fox transformed it into the Rose Whip. But, instead of attacking Shinrai, he flared up his aura (a silvery white aura, of course) and began to wrap the Whip around his arm. Repeating the process with two more roses, his arm was soon covered with the sharp thorns of the Rose Whip. This, was the Rose Glove. Springing forward, Kurama was instantaneously in Shinrai's face, swinging his fist downward into.... nothing but the air. Shinrai stood behind him, his sword drawn.
"I expected better of the famous Youko Kurama.... Trying to sow the seed of the Death Plant?"
Ripping a small seed from his armor, Shinrai threw it to the ground. A small hole could be seen in his armor, where blood slowly trickled out. With a mighty cry, Shinrai's armor spasmed as it filled in the hole and restored itself.
".... I won't be beaten by such petty tricks now that I've transformed."
Still smirking, Youko replied, "My sincere apologies. I never meant to bore you. Perhaps my next attack will.... excite you more."
Blowing apart his Rose Glove, Kurama reached into his hair and pulled out a small, brown seed. He held it up to Shinrai, showing him that it was inscribed with the symbol for 'Cannon.'
"Allow me to introduce my deathblow technique.... an attack that draws forth the very core of nature's power into a single, powerful blast. This.... is the Rose Buster."
The seed blossomed, transforming into what seemed to be a large cannon wrapped up in roses. Gripping the weapon tightly, Kurama's aura flared up, tripling in size before siphoning into the cannon.
"I've only used this once.... so forgive me if I'm not particularly skilled with it."
Shinrai stared in amazement at the power of the Rose Buster, before hearing a cry of, "Rose Buster - Fire!!!" Narrowly dodging the wide blast, Shinrai watched in shock as the beam cut through a nearby apartment building and split it in two, bracing himself as the towering building crashed to the ground. Kurama shouldered the cannon.
"Have enough? I don't want to have to kill you, Shinrai. Just give up.... you can never hope to face Yusuke if I can outdo you so easily."
A devilish grin crossed Shinrai's face, as he glared over at Kurama.
"Who said you've outdone me?"
Raising one hand, Shinrai began charging up a Rei Gun, and shot it into the air. The beam cut through the clouds and actually CUT THROUGH the full moon, destroying half of it. As Kurama stared in horror, Shinrai made a series of strange movements and thrust his arms into the air.
"Reikou Shou-ryuu - Lunar Revival!!!"
The moon flashed, as it returned slowly to its normal full position. Kurama was now completely in shock, almost dropping his Rose Buster. Shinrai turned to face him, still grinning wickedly.
"What's the matter? You had to have known that I fluctuate my power based on the opponent.... that your best could only scratch me if it hit head-on. Give up, and surrender your artifact."
With shaking hands, Kurama lifted his Rose Buster onto his shoulder, and began to charge up.
"I never give up.... You'll have to make me if you want my artifact!"
Police sirens could be heard in the background; someone had called them due to the vicious sounds of battle on the rooftop. But that was of no consequence to the two warriors. As Kurama finished charging his Rose Buster, he called out....
"Rose Buster - Final Attack! Crimson Wave!!!"
A huge blast of red energy shot forward, and as it struck Shinrai, it seemed the battle was over. Except for one tiny little fact - Shinrai was holding back the blast with ONE FINGER. Kurama gasped in shock and horror at Shinrai's power, as the transformed warrior grinned and said, "Game over, Kurama." And at that, he pushed the attack back, still using only one finger, and shot it past Kurama and into the distance.
Shaking, Kurama flashed white and transformed back into Shuichi Minamino.
"Y-You've won.... I admit defeat."
Sheathing his sword, Shinrai flashed and transformed back to normal. After a short pause, he walked towards Kurama and extended his hand.
"The artifact, please...."
Kurama rustled around in his clothes for a moment, and brought out a small wooden box. After handing it to Shinrai, he explained, "This box contains the shards of the Mirror of Darkness. Six more artifacts, and you'll be able to face Yusuke. Best of luck."
Shinrai turned, and replied, "Thanks. Now, best to get back to Botan-chan before she gets worried. Give her my apologies for barging in like that." With that, he leapt off the rooftop, jumping from building to building.
Under his breath, Kurama murmured, "He may be the one...."
=== Makai - Magyofuu Swamp ===
Shouldering his blade, Hiei looked past the horizon.
".... What power.... Well, I'll be sure to put the boy in his place."